A half marathon is a road running event of kilometres ( 13 mi 192.5 yd)âÂÂhalf the distance of a marathon. It is common for a half marathon event to be held concurrently with a marathon or a 5K race, using almost the same course with a late start, an early finish, or shortcuts. If finisher medals are awarded, the medal or ribbon may differ from those for the full marathon. The half marathon is also known as a 21K, 21.1K, or 13.1 miles, although these values are rounded and not formally correct.
A half marathon world record is officially recognised by World Athletics. The men's world record time is 57:30, set by Yomif Kejelcha in 2024 in Valencia, Spain. Jacob Kiplimo ran 56:42 in Barcelona but this mark was not ratified by World Athletics due to his proximity to the lead car. The women's world record, in a mixed-gender race, is 1:02:52, set by Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia in October 2021 in Valencia, Spain. In a female-only race, the women's world record is 1:05:16, set by Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya in October 2020.
Participation in half marathons has grown steadily since 2003, partly because it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a marathon does. In 2008, Running USA reported that the half marathon was the fastest-growing type of race.
The concept of the half-marathon emerged in the 1960s. The first half marathon was the Route du Vin Half Marathon founded in 1961. Although the race was technically not the official current distance until it was standardized in 1995. The event grew in popularity leading to the eventual establishment of the World Athletics Road Running Championships in 1992, originally titled the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships.
<small>Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 58:39:</small>
<small>Performance annulled due to doping offences:</small>
<small>Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:05:00:</small>
This table lists the best half marathon performances per year since 1970, as recorded by the ARRS.
The largest half marathon ever held was Broloppet (the Bridge race) between Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden with finishers, held in connection with the ÃÂresund Bridge inauguration in 2000.