Kenyan Agnes Ngetich broke the women’s only world record by one second to win the half marathon at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen on Sunday.
Ngetich, 25, ran 1 hour, 5 minutes, 15 seconds on the streets of the Danish capital, winning by 50 seconds over countrywoman Veronica Loleo.
Ngetich broke the previous women’s only world record of 1:05:16 set by another Kenyan, Peres Jepchirchir, in 2020.
Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey holds the overall world record for a women’s half marathon -- 1:02:52 from 2021 -- with a male pacemaker and in a race with women and men running together.
Ngetich already owned world records in the 10km (28:46 overall, plus 29:27 in a women’s only race).
Americans were fifth (Emma Grace Hurley), sixth (Weini Kelati) and seventh (Jess McClain) on Sunday.
Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the men’s half marathon world title in 58:06, five seconds ahead of Kenyan Nicholas Kipkorir.
Conner Mantz, the American record holder in the marathon, was the top American in 12th as he prepares for the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1.
The road running season continues with major marathons, including the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 11, streaming on NBCChicago.com.
World Road Running Championships 2026 Results
Women’s Half Marathon
Gold: Agnes Ngetich (KEN) — 1:05:15 WR
Silver: Veronica Loleo (KEN) — 1:06:05
Bronze: Florence Niyonkuru (RWA) -- 1:06:08
4. Daisliah Jerono (KEN) -- 1:06:13
5. Emma Grace Hurley (USA) -- 1:06:23
6. Weini Kelati (USA) -- 1:06:35
7. Jess McClain (USA) -- 1:06:53
8. Ftaw Zeray (ETH) -- 1:07:07
9. Fatima Ezzahra Birdaha (MAR) -- 1:07:33
10. Esther Chebet (UGA) -- 1:07:38
17. Ednah Kurgat (USA) -- 1:08:11
20. Carrie Ellwood (USA) -- 1:09:12
41. Annie Rodenfels (USA) -- 1:11:02
Men’s Half Marathon
Gold: Andreas Almgren (SWE) — 58:06
Silver: Nicholas Kipkorir (KEN) -- 58:11
Bronze: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) -- 58:26
4. Tadese Worku (ETH) -- 58:35
5. Gideon Kipkertich Rono (KEN) -- 58:57
6. Hani Idriss Hersi (DJI) -- 59:09
7. Yemaneberhan Crippa (ITA) -- 59:18
8. Alex Nzioka Matata (KEN) -- 59:22
9. Daniel Simiu Ebenyo (KEN) -- 59:42
10. Othmane El Goumri (MAR) -- 59:53
12. Conner Mantz (USA) -- 1:00:08
13. Ahmed Muhumed (USA) -- 1:00:15
23. Wesley Kiptoo (USA) -- 1:01:11
24. Hillary Bor (USA) -- 1:01:12
