A half marathon is a road running event of 21,097.5 meters, or 13 7/64 miles, about 13.1 miles. It is half the distance of a marathon and usually run on roads. It is a popular race for intermediate runners, long enough to be a serious challenge but not requiring the level of training of a marathon. In consequence, many towns and cities hold annual all-comers half marathon races through their streets. It is also common for a half marathon event to be held concurrently with a marathon, using almost the same course with an early finish.
World records
The male world record is 58:33, set by Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya on March 17, 2007, in The Hague, The Netherlands.
The female world record is 1:06:25, set by Lornah Kiplagat of the Netherlands on October 14, 2007, in Udine, Italy.
World record progression - Men
| Time |
Name |
Birth |
Nationality |
Date |
Town |
| 62:56 |
Miruts Yifter |
1944 |
 Ethiopia |
1977-02-06 |
Coamo, PUR |
| 62:47 |
Anthony Simmons |
1948 |
 United Kingdom |
1978-06-24 |
Welwyn Garden City, GBR |
| 62:36 |
Nick Rose |
1951 |
United Kingdom |
1979-10-14 |
Dayton, USA |
| 62:32 |
Kirk Pfeffer |
1956 |
 United States |
1979-12-07 |
Las Vegas, USA |
| 62:16 |
Stan Mavis |
1955 |
United States |
1980-01-27 |
New Orleans, USA |
| 61:47 |
Herb Lindsay |
1954 |
United States |
1981-09-20 |
Manchester, USA |
| 61:36 |
Mike Musyoki |
1956 |
 Kenya |
1982-09-19 |
Philadelphia, USA |
| 61:32 |
Paul Cummings |
1953 |
United States |
1983-09-25 |
Philadelphia, USA |
| 61:21 |
Alex Hagelsteens |
1956 |
 Belgium |
1984-09-23 |
Remich, LUX-Grevenmacher, LUX |
| 61:14 |
Steve Jones |
1955 |
United Kingdom |
1985-08-11 |
Birmingham, GBR |
| 60:55 |
Mark Curp |
1959 |
United States |
1985-09-15 |
Philadelphia, USA |
| 60:56dubious – discuss |
Xolile Yawa |
1962 |
 South Africa |
1987-07-25 |
East London, RSA |
| 60:46 |
Dionicio Cerón |
1965 |
 Mexico |
1990-09-16 |
Philadelphia, USA |
| 59:47 |
Moses Tanui |
1965 |
Kenya |
1993-04-03 |
Milan, ITA |
| 59:17 |
Paul Tergat |
1969 |
Kenya |
1998-04-04 |
Milan, ITA |
| 59:16 |
Samuel Wanjiru |
1986 |
Kenya |
2005-09-11 |
Rotterdam, NED |
| 58:55 |
Haile Gebrselassie |
1973 |
Ethiopia |
2006-01-15 |
Phoenix, USA |
| 58:33 |
Samuel Wanjiru |
1986 |
Kenya |
2007-03-17 |
The Hague, NED |
World record progression - Women
| Time |
Name |
Birth |
Nationality |
Date |
Town |
| 77:48 |
Daniele Justin |
19?? |
Belgium |
1978-11-12 |
Nazaré, POR |
| 75:58 |
Michiko Gorman |
1935 |
United States |
1978-11-19 |
Pasadena, USA |
| 75:01 |
Ellison Goodall |
1954 |
United States |
1979-03-10 |
Winston-Salem, USA |
| 74:03 |
Patti Catalano |
1953 |
United States |
1979-09-29 |
Manchester, USA |
| 73:59 |
Marja Wokke |
1957 |
 Netherlands |
1980-03-29 |
The Hague, NED |
| 73:26 |
Joan Benoit |
1957 |
United States |
1981-01-18 |
New Orleans, USA |
| 71:16 |
Joan Benoit |
1957 |
United States |
1981-03-07 |
San Diego, USA |
| 69:57 |
Grete Waitz |
1953 |
 Norway |
1982-05-15 |
Gothenburg, SWE |
| 69:14 |
Joan Benoit |
1957 |
United States |
1983-09-18 |
Philadelphia, USA |
| 68:34 |
Joan Benoit |
1957 |
United States |
1984-09-16 |
Philadelphia, USA |
| 68:31 |
Ingrid Kristiansen |
1956 |
Norway |
1989-03-19 |
New Bedford, USA |
| 67:59 |
Elana Meyer |
1966 |
South Africa |
1991-05-18 |
East London, RSA |
| 67:58 |
Uta Pippig |
1965 |
 Germany |
1995-03-19 |
Kyoto, JPN |
| 67:36 |
Elana Meyer |
1966 |
South Africa |
1997-03-09 |
Kyoto, JPN |
| 67:29 |
Elana Meyer |
1966 |
South Africa |
1998-03-08 |
Kyoto, JPN |
| 66:44 |
Elana Meyer |
1966 |
South Africa |
1999-01-15 |
Tokyo, JPN |
| 66:25 |
Lornah Kiplagat |
1974 |
Netherlands |
2007-10-14 |
Udine, ITA |
Best Year Performance
Men's Seasons Best
Women's Seasons Best
Notable half marathons
Running multiple half marathons
As running half marathons has become more popular, athletes have started to set goals involving competing in multiple races. A popular goal is to run a half marathon in each state of the United States and the District of Columbia. At least four runners have completed this series.[1]
References
See also
External links
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