**Title: Agnes Ngetich Breaks Women-Only Half Marathon World Record in Copenhagen**
Kenyan runner Agnes Ngetich has made headlines by breaking the women-only half marathon world record at the World Athletics Road Running Championships held in Copenhagen. The 25-year-old athlete clocked an impressive time of 1:05:15, surpassing the previous record of 1:05:16 set by her compatriot Peres Jepchirchir in Gdynia, Poland, back in 2020.
Ngetich's performance was nothing short of remarkable. According to race data released by World Athletics, she took the lead right from the start and established a significant ten-second lead by the five-kilometer mark. She maintained her dominance throughout the race, finishing a remarkable 50 seconds ahead of fellow Kenyan Veronica Loleo, who secured the silver medal with a time of 1:06:05. Rwandan runner Florence Niyonkuru completed the podium, earning bronze with a national record of 1:06:08.
The women-only half marathon record is specifically designated for races that do not include male athletes or pacemakers. In contrast, the overall women’s half marathon record is held by Ethiopian athlete Letesenbet Gidey, who set a time of 1:02:52 in a mixed race in 2021. Ngetich herself recorded a time of 1:03:04 in a mixed race in Valencia in 2024, which is the second-fastest time ever recorded for a women's half marathon.
Ngetich's victory in Copenhagen marks her second global title of the year, following her earlier success at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, in January. In addition to her half marathon achievements, she also holds the world records for both mixed-race and women-only 10 km events, with times of 28:46 and 29:27, respectively.
Expressing her joy after the race, Ngetich stated, "I am very happy and very grateful to now hold the world half marathon record, too." She also mentioned her plans to discuss her future racing strategy with her coach, indicating a desire to return to track racing for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing. "It is my dream to win a gold medal on the track," she added, noting that it is the only major title she has yet to achieve.
The 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships saw Kenya excel in team events as well, with the women's team claiming the title ahead of teams from the United States and Ethiopia. The Kenyan men's team also secured gold, while Nicholas Kipkorir earned an individual silver medal in the half marathon.
Kenya continues to assert its dominance in the athletics world, having finished second behind the United States at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, where they won six gold medals and a total of ten medals overall. Notable performances from Kenyan athletes include Faith Kipyegon, who set a new world record in the 1,500 meters with a time of 3:48.68, and Beatrice Chebet, who became the first woman to complete the 5,000 meters in under 14 minutes, finishing in 13:58.06.
Looking ahead, Kenya is set to further solidify its status as a powerhouse in athletics by hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships. This will mark the first time the event is held in Africa, with Nairobi winning the bid over other major cities such as London, Rome, and Munich. Kenya has previously hosted the World Under-18 Championships in 2017 and the World Under-20 Championships in 2021.
Agnes Ngetich's record-breaking achievement not only highlights her individual talent and determination but also underscores Kenya's continued prominence in the world of athletics.