Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich Shatters Women-Only Half-Marathon World Record in Copenhagen

Kenyan runner Agnes Ngetich sets new women-only half-marathon record with 1:05:15 finish at World Athletics Championships.

Editorial Desk

September 20, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Copenhagen, Denmark — Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich shattered the women-only half-marathon world record by a second, clocking 1:05:15 at the World Athletics Road Running Championships on Sunday.

Ngetich, who previously set the women-only 10 km world record in 2025, led from the start of the event in the Danish capital and maintained a commanding lead throughout the race. She finished 50 seconds ahead of compatriot Veronica Loleo, securing a Kenyan one-two finish.

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The previous women-only half-marathon record was held by Peres Jepchirchir, also from Kenya, who set the mark in 2020. The women’s half-marathon world record remains with Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, who ran 1:02:52 in 2021. This victory marks Ngetich’s second global title of the year, following her team half-marathon win in Copenhagen and a gold medal at the World Cross Country Championships in January.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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