This archive report was first published on 15 September 2019.
On September 15, 2019, Geoffrey Kamworor, the 2015 and 2017 World Cross Country champion, made history by setting a new World Half Marathon record in Copenhagen.
With a time of 57 minutes and 59 seconds, Kamworor shattered the previous record of 58.18 minutes set by compatriot Abraham Kiptum in Valencia last year.
"I have won three World Half Marathon titles and my fans kept on asking me when I would down the World Record. I told them that time will surely come," said Kamworor after his victory.
"This is the time and God's time is always the best and this is really special for me even though the weather wasn't conducive," he added.
Kamworor's achievement marked the first time a man had run a sub-58 minutes, and he improved on his personal best by 57 seconds.
He won the Ras al-Khaimah Half Marathon in a personal best of 58:54 in 2013 and had previously won the World Half Marathon title in 2014, 2016, and 2018.
On his second appearance at the Copenhagen course, Kamworor led a group of seven Kenyans past the five-kilometre mark in 13:53 and the 10km mark in 27:34.
He maintained a strong pace, hitting the 15km mark in 41:05 minutes, 26 seconds off the chasing pack of compatriots Benard Kipkorir Ng'eno and Edwin Kiprop Kiptoo.
As he zoomed past the 20km mark in 55:00, Kamworor gained a minute and 09 seconds lead from Ng'eno to win in a World Record time.
"It shows a good indication ahead of the New York Marathon where I intend to recapture the title," said Kamworor, who won in New York in 2017 to finish third last year.
