This archive report was first published on 31 August 2021.
On August 29, 2021, Ethiopian athlete Yalemzerf Yehualaw made history by shattering the half marathon world record at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon in Larne, Northern Ireland.
Yehualaw's impressive time of 1:03:43 beat the previous record set by Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich in Istanbul on April 4 by 19 seconds.
Yehualaw, 22, expressed her joy and relief at finally achieving her dream, saying, "This was a dream come true for me. I have tried twice before to break the world record but it didn't happen, but I'm so happy it happened today in Larne."
Yehualaw's achievement marked a significant milestone in her career, as she became the first woman to break 64 minutes for the half marathon.
The men's race was won by Ethiopia's national record holder Jemal Yimer, who finished one second ahead of his compatriot Tesfahun Akalnew, with Kenya's Shadrack Kimining coming third.
