A new World Record has been set after Kenyan athlete Ruth Chepngetich smashed the World Half Marathon Record in 1.04.02 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Chepngetich took almost half a minute off previous record holder Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh Birhane mark of 1.04.31.

The win added to Chepng’etich’s previous victories at the race she won in 2017 and 2019.

Chepngetich, 26, was followed across the line in Turkey by Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw (1hr 4:40) with Kenya’s Hellen Obiri third in 1hr 4:51.

This was the first time three women have finished inside 65 minutes in one half marathon.

Kenyans had a field day at the race, as in the men’s category, record holder Kibiwott Kandie carried the day in 59:35.

The Istanbul Half Marathon is an annual long-distance running event held in Istanbul, Turkey.