By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Caption: Agnes Ngetich at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26 Image©World Athletics (Gaelle Mobuchon).
Agnes Ngetich smashed the women’s half marathon world record at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 2026 on Sunday, 20 September.
Ngetich, 25, ran 1 hour, 5 minutes, 15 seconds winning by 50 seconds over countrywoman Veronica Loleo, to add the world half marathon title to the world cross-country crown she claimed in Tallahassee, with Florence Niyonkuru claiming bronze in a national record of 1:06:08.
Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey holds the overall women’s half-marathon world record with a time of 1:02:52.
Ngetich now holds three world records – adding this latest performance to her world 10km records of 28:46 set in a mixed race and 29:27 achieved in a women-only race.
“My coach believed in me and told me that I could do it, that I could win the gold medal,” said Ngetich, 25. “So, I am very happy and very grateful to now hold the world half marathon record, too.”
Ngetich added: “I am now going to discuss with my coach what is ahead of me. But I know I am coming back to track races in 2027, because there is a World Athletics Championships.
“It is my dream to win a gold medal on the track. It is the only one I am missing.”
Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the men’s half marathon as he broke his own European record by 35 seconds, crossing the line in 58:06 in Copenhagen.
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.
Men’s Half Marathon
Gold: Andreas Almgren (SWE) — 58:06
Silver: Nicholas Kipkorir (KEN) — 58:11
Bronze: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) — 58:26.