Sports
Buenos Aires Half Marathon Smashes World and Brazilian Records
Kejelcha clocked 56:51 with a 2:32 final kilometer, while Núbia Oliveira broke a national record standing since 1991.
The Buenos Aires Half Marathon made history with incredible times across both elite international and Brazilian running. Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha set a new world record in the 21k, while Brazil's Núbia Oliveira broke a 33-year-old national record.
The Buenos Aires Half Marathon delivered historic milestones for both international elite runners and Brazilian athletics. Featuring a fast course and favorable weather, the Argentine race brought memorable performances alongside behind-the-scenes accounts from those who ran the streets of the capital.
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New men's world record with an impressive pace
In the men's race, the star of the event was Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha, who completed the 21 km in an astonishing 56:51, setting a new world record for the distance. His average pace was 2:42 per kilometer, crossing the 20-kilometer mark at 54:04.
The highlight of Kejelcha's pace came in the final stretch: the Ethiopian closed out the last kilometer in a blistering 2:32. Running solo for most of the course and finishing about three minutes ahead of the runner-up (who finished around 59 minutes), he crossed the finish line celebrating with room to spare.
The official race broadcast also featured a curious moment: a graphics glitch displayed Brazilian flags next to nearly every athlete on the start list and historical stats screens, including international top runners like Jacob Kiplimo.
Núbia Oliveira breaks Brazilian record from 1991
In the women's division, Ethiopia's Fotyen Tesfay won with a time of 1:03:57, but Brazilian eyes were on Núbia Oliveira. At 24 years old, the athlete coached by Ferreirinha finished 8th overall in 1:11:13, making her the first South American across the line.
With this mark, Núbia broke the Brazilian women's half marathon record previously held by Silvana Pereira since 1991, beating the historic time by two seconds. This achievement represents a massive leap in the Brazilian runner's career, cutting about three minutes off her previous personal best (1:15) and building great anticipation for her future transition to the marathon.
Actual elevation profile and race experience
Racing on the course, Carlos Gueiros shared his firsthand experience in the streets of Buenos Aires. While the event has a reputation for being completely flat, the course features around 80 meters of cumulative elevation gain, with false flats and gentle inclines requiring tactical pacing, especially near the Obelisk.
Gueiros also achieved a personal best by finishing in 1:19, beating his previous mark of 1:20:01. Despite dealing with a classic side stitch midway through the race, he managed his pace alongside other runners, such as Eustáquio, and accelerated in the closing section to seal his new personal best.
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