Just now,on August 23 at 8:00 a.m. Argentina time (19:00 Beijing time the same day), Ethiopian distance running star约米夫·科杰尔查（Yomif Kejelcha）finished the Buenos Aires Half Marathon in 56:51.
Not only did this improve his PB of 57:30, it also pushed Jacob Kiplimo — who ran 57:20 in Lisbon earlier this year — down one spot on the all-time half marathon fastest list before that performance had even cooled off.
The half marathon world record has once again returned to his hands.
01
A terrifying "negative split"
Opening the official timing system, "Second Brother" Kejelcha's splits this time — much like a god arriving at the London Marathon — produced a precise "negative split".
His average pace for the race was about 2:41/km. After 6 km, those behind him were already out of sight — the streets of Buenos Aires became his solo show.
© Buenos Aires Half Marathon official website
No pacers, no rotating pace groups — the expressionless Kejelcha on the live broadcast fully proved the saying, "those who want to win do not smile." In the end, the director didn't even bother to cut to the men in second and third or the leading women's pack.
02
Does the gap in sheer ability need any more proof?
A half marathon isn't the same as a full marathon. If it's a full marathon, it's more of a "by-the-book" run. The half marathon requires you to rely on cardiovascular toughness and the ability to absorb the effort.
Kejelcha ran under 2:00 in his debut marathon at the London Marathon earlier this year, proving to the world that "Second Brother" can be quiet, but his absolute ability is no joke!
© World Athletics
We had thought he would fully move toward the marathon, but he clearly "kept a trick up his sleeve," preserving and even extending the speed he used to pride himself on — which is why today's seemingly effortless show was possible.
If this result is ratified, the half marathon will officially enter the 56-minute range. There's little reason to doubt "Second Brother's" ability.
03
What else can we expect?
Kiptum's unexpected passing,Kipchoge and Bekele growing older, and Sawe breaking 2 in a sanctioned race...
Kejelcha's marathon debut matched the "sub-2" pacing Kipchoge had in Vienna back then. This post-1995 generation (Sawe born in 1996, Kejelcha in 1997) has indeed taken the baton from the legends born in the '80s.
© adidas
Kiplimo is from the post-2000 generation — explosively talented but "not yet fully steady." Time will make way for him, but for now the milestones in both the marathon and half marathon are being staked by the 1997-born.
Will we see Kejelcha continue to rewrite marathon records and perhaps even surpass Sawe's marathon record?
I believe he will.
[End-of-article interaction]
Writer / Editor: Cavendish
Image source: Internet
Visuals: Max
