20K run

Athletics
20K run
World records
MenJacob Kiplimo 53:42+ (2025)
WomenLetesenbet Gidey 59:35 (2021)

The 20K run (20 kilometres, or approximately 12.4 miles) is a long distance foot race. It is a rarely held race that is not recognized as an Olympic event. The event held IAAF world championship status in 2006 only, when the existing IAAF World Half Marathon Championships briefly hosted the shorter distance.

The world best for men is held by Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea who ran a time of 56:01 at the 2006 IAAF World Road Running Championships in Debrecen, Hungary. The women's world best is held by Florence Kiplagat of Kenya who ran a time of 1:01:54 at the 2015 Barcelona Half Marathon in Barcelona, Spain. IAAF records require the 20 km distance to be run on a course without a significant drop in elevation between the start and finish points and where the birds-eye distance between the start of finish points is less than ten kilometres. The Association of Road Racing Statisticians has an additional criteria in that it requires records to be set in competitions of the given distance, thus it does not recognise Kiplagat's run due to it being recorded en route to a longer distance. The ARRS-recognised world record is 1:03:21 by Lornah Kiplagat of the Netherlands, who also recorded her time at the 2006 World Championships.

Road races

The 2012 women's podium from the 20 km of Lausanne, Switzerland.

There are several annual road running competitions over the 20 km distance, mostly based in Western Europe, the United States, and Japan.

Europe
Japan
United States

The Kanaguri Hai Tamana Half Marathon, Dam to Dam Half Marathon and Ogden Newspapers Classic Half Marathon were all previously 20 km races for much of their history.

All-time top 25

Men

Men's world best holder (without en route performances) Zersenay Tadese
Rank Time Athlete Nation Date Race Location Ref.
1 53:42+ Jacob Kiplimo Uganda 16 February 2025 Barcelona Half Marathon Barcelona
2 54:02+ Yomif Kejelcha Ethiopia 23 August 2026 21K Buenos Aires Buenos Aires
3 54:36+ Kibiwott Kandie Kenya 22 October 2023 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
Hagos Gebrhiwet Ethiopia 22 October 2023 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
5 54:42+ Selemon Barega Ethiopia 22 October 2023 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
6 54:50+ Rhonex Kipruto Kenya 6 December 2020 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
7 54:57+ Alexander Mutiso Kenya 6 December 2020 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
8 55:00+ Geoffrey Kamworor Kenya 15 September 2019 Copenhagen Half Marathon Copenhagen
9 55:03+ Nicholas Kimeli Kenya 8 March 2026 Lisbon Half Marathon Lisbon
10 55:04+ Abel Kipchumba Kenya 24 October 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
11 55:07+ Philemon Kiplimo Kenya 6 December 2020 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
12 55:11+ Daniel Mateiko Kenya 27 October 2024 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi Kenya 27 October 2024 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
14 55:13+ Sabastian Sawe Ethiopia 15 September 2024 Copenhagen Half Marathon Copenhagen
15 55:14+ Kennedy Kimutai Kenya 24 October 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
16 55:18+ Abraham Kiptum Kenya 28 October 2018 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
17 55:21+ Zersenay Tadese Eritrea 21 March 2010 Lisbon Half Marathon Lisbon,
18 55:22+ Birhanu Balew Bahrain 14 February 2026 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon Ras Al Khaimah
19 55:24+ Mathew Kimeli Kenya 24 October 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
20 55:26+ Rodgers Kwemoi Kenya 19 February 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon Ras al-Khaimah
Vincent Langat Kenya 14 September 2025 Copenhagen Half Marathon Copenhagen
22 55:30+ Jemal Yimer Mekonnen Ethiopia 28 October 2018 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
23 55:31+ Samuel Wanjiru Kenya 17 March 2007 The Hague
24 55:32+ Muktar Edris Ethiopia 24 October 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
Amos Kurgat Kenya 15 September 2024 Copenhagen Half Marathon Copenhagen

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 55:32:

Women

Florence Kiplagat
Rank Time Athlete Nation Date Race Location Ref.
1 59:35+ Mx Letesenbet Gidey Ethiopia 24 October 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
2 59:42 Mx Agnes Ngetich Kenya 27 October 2024 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
3 59:56 Mx Fotyen Tesfay Ethiopia 27 October 2024 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
4 1:00:09 Mx Lilian Kasait Kenya 27 October 2024 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
5 1:00:24+ Mx Yalemzerf Yehualaw Ethiopia 24 October 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
6 1:00:41 Mx Ejgayehu Taye Ethiopia 27 October 2024 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
7 1:00:42+ Mx Loice Chemnung Kenya 15 February 2026 Barcelona Half Marathon Barcelona
8 1:00:43+ Mx Ruth Chepng'etich Kenya 4 April 2021 Istanbul Half Marathon Istanbul
9 1:01:03+ Mx Joyciline Jepkosgei Kenya 11 February 2024 Barcelona Half Marathon Barcelona
10 1:01:04+ Mx Girmawit Gebrzihair Ethiopia 19 February 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon Ras al-Khaimah
Hellen Obiri Kenya 19 February 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon Ras al-Khaimah
12 1:01:11+ Mx Ababel Yeshaneh Ethiopia 21 February 2020 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon Ras Al Khaimah
13 1:01:16+ Mx Sheila Chepkirui Kenya 19 February 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon Ras Al Khaimah
14 1:01:18+ Mx Sutume Kebede Ethiopia 14 January 2024 Houston Half Marathon Houston
Senbere Teferi Ethiopia 11 February 2024 Barcelona Half Marathon Barcelona
16 1:01:19+ Irine Jepchumba Kimais Kenya 19 February 2023 Barcelona Half Marathon Barcelona
17 1:01:20+ a Brigid Kosgei Kenya 8 September 2019 Great North Run Newcastle-South Shields
18 1:01:21+ Mx Likina Amebaw Ethiopia 14 September 2025 Copenhagen Half Marathon Copenhagen
19 1:01:23+ Mx Tsigie Gebreselama Ethiopia 8 March 2026 Lisbon Half Marathon Lisbon
20 1:01:27+ Mx Margaret Kipkemboi Kenya 22 October 2023 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
21 1:01:28+ Mx Irene Chepet Cheptai Kenya 22 October 2023 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
22 1:01:35+ Mx Sharon Lokedi Ethiopia 14 September 2025 Copenhagen Half Marathon Copenhagen
23 1:01:41+ Mx Joan Chelimo Kenya 4 April 2021 Istanbul Half Marathon Istanbul
24 1:01:42+ Mx Janeth Chepngetich Kenya 22 October 2023 Valencia Half Marathon Valencia
Nevin Can Turkey 23 August 2026 21K Buenos Aires Buenos Aires

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:01:42::

Notes

  1. ↑ by official result source, 54:42 by World Athletics source

References

  1. ↑ IAAF World Half Marathon Championships Copenhagen 2014 Facts & Figures Incorporating the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships (1992-2005/2008-2010-2012) IAAF World Road Running Championships 2006/2007. IAAF. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  2. ↑ Turner, Chris (2006-10-08). Tadesse's 'solo' last 10k secures emphatic victory – Men’s 20km, Debrecen 2006. IAAF. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  3. ↑ Minshull, Phil (2015-02-16). Florence Kiplagat flies to half marathon world record of 1:05:12 in Barcelona. IAAF. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  4. ↑ ARRS ROAD RECORDS Archived 2018-09-16 at the Wayback Machine. ARRS. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  5. 1 2 Road 20 km Race Histories. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  6. ↑ "Vestal XX". Vestal XX. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  7. ↑ "All-time men's best 20km road race". alltime-athletics.com. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  8. ↑ Senior Outdoor 20 Kilometres Men. IAAF. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  9. ↑ "By The Numbers: Jacob Kiplimo Shatters Half Marathon World Record With 56:41 In Barcelona". CITIUS MAG. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  10. ↑ "21K Bueanos Aires 2026 – Yomif Kejelcha Result". my.raceresult.com. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  11. ↑ "Kibiwott Kandie Valencia Half Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "Hagos Gebrhiwet Valencia Half Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  13. ↑ "Selemon Barega Valencia Half Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  14. ↑ "2020 Valencia Half Marathon Results". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  15. ↑ "2020 Valencia Half Marathon Results". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  16. ↑ "Geoffrey Kamworor Copenhagen Half Marathon 2019 Result". cphhalf.dk. 15 September 2019. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  17. ↑ "Lisbon Half Marathon 2026 – Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli Result". running-portugal.com. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  18. ↑ "Abel Kipchumpa 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  19. ↑ "2020 Valencia Half Marathon Results". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  20. ↑ "Daniel Mateiko Valencia Half Marathon 2024 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  21. ↑ "Daniel Mateiko Valencia Half Marathon 2024 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  22. ↑ "Sabastian Sawe Copenhagen Half Marathon 2024 Result". cphhalf.dk. 15 September 2024. Archived from the original on 2019-09-27. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  23. ↑ "Kennedy Kimutai 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  24. ↑ "Abraham Kiptum Valencia Half Marathon 2018 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  25. ↑ Fernandes, António Manuel (2010-03-21). "Scorching 58:22 World Half Marathon record by Tadese in Lisbon!". IAAF. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  26. ↑ "Birhanu Balew Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon 2026 Results". rakhalfmarathon.r.mikatiming.com. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  27. ↑ "Mathew Kimeli 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  28. ↑ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  29. ↑ "Copenhagen Half Marathon 2025 – Vincent Langat Result". cphhalf.dk. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  30. ↑ "Muktar Edris 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  31. ↑ "Amos Kurgat Copenhagen Half Marathon 2024 Result". cphhalf.dk. 15 September 2024. Archived from the original on 2019-09-27. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  32. ↑ "All-time women's best 20km road race". alltime-athletics.com. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  33. ↑ Senior Outdoor 20 Kilometres Women. IAAF. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  34. ↑ "Letesenbet Gidey 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  35. ↑ "Agnes Ngetich Valencia Half Marathon 2024 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  36. ↑ "Fotyen Tesfay Valencia Half Marathon 2024 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  37. ↑ "Lilian Kasait Valencia Half Marathon 2024 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  38. ↑ "Yalemzerf Yehualaw 2021 Valencia Half Marathon Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  39. ↑ "Ejgayehu Taye Valencia Half Marathon 2024 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  40. ↑ "Weini Kelati Barcelona Half Marathon 2026 Result". mitjamarato.barcelona. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  41. ↑ "2021 Istanbul Half Marathon Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  42. ↑ "Joyciline Jepkosgei Barcelona Half Marathon 2024 Result". edreamsmitjabarcelona.com. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  43. ↑ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  44. ↑ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  45. ↑ "Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon 2020 Results". therakhalfmarathon.com. 21 February 2020. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  46. ↑ "2022 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon – Women's Leaderboard Results". track.rtrt.me. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  47. ↑ "2024 Houston Half Marathon Results". track.rtrt.me. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  48. ↑ "Senbere Teferi Barcelona Half Marathon 2024 Result". edreamsmitjabarcelona.com. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  49. ↑ "2023 Barcelona Half Marathon Results". sportmaniacs.com. 19 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-03-08. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  50. ↑ Bob Ramsak (8 September 2019). "Weekend road round-up: Chepkirui and Kimeli break 30 minutes at Prague 10k, Kosgei dominates Great North Run". IAAF. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  51. ↑ "Copenhagen Half Marathon 2025 – Likina Amebaw Race Result". cphhalf.dk. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  52. ↑ "Lisbon Half Marathon 2026 – Tsigie Gebreselama Result". running-portugal.com. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  53. ↑ "Margaret Kipkemboi Valencia Half Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  54. ↑ "Irene Chepet Cheptai Valencia Half Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  55. ↑ "Copenhagen Half Marathon 2025 – Sharon Lokedi Race Result". cphhalf.dk. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  56. ↑ "2021 Istanbul Half Marathon Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  57. ↑ "Janeth Chepngetich Valencia Half Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  58. ↑ "21K Bueanos Aires 2026 – Nevin Can Result". my.raceresult.com. Retrieved 8 September 2026.