Agnes Ngetich Breaks Women-Only Half Marathon World Record as Kenya Wins Copenhagen Team Gold
By Shadrack Kimeli | October 1, 2026
Agnes Ngetich delivered one of Kenya’s standout road-running performances of 2026 by winning the women’s half marathon at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen in a women-only world record of 1:05:15, subject to ratification.
Kenya Took First, Second and Fourth
Ngetich finished 50 seconds ahead of fellow Kenyan Veronica Loleo, who took silver in 1:06:05. Daisilah Jerono placed fourth in 1:06:13.
Those results gave Kenya the women’s team title in a combined 3:17:33, ahead of the United States and Ethiopia.
A Second Global Title in 2026
The victory added the world half marathon title to the world cross-country crown Ngetich won earlier in the year. World Athletics says she now holds three world records across the half marathon and 10km road distances.
Kenya Also Won the Men’s Team Title
Kenya’s men did not take the individual gold, but Nicholas Kipkorir finished second in 58:11, with Gideon Rono fifth, Alex Matata eighth and Daniel Ebenyo ninth.
The depth was enough to secure the men’s team title in 2:56:30, ahead of Ethiopia and the United States.
Why Copenhagen Matters
The results underline Kenya’s continued strength not only in individual road races but also in team competition. Ngetich’s performance also places her among the central Kenyan athletes to watch heading into the 2027 track season.
What a Women-Only World Record Means
World Athletics distinguishes between performances achieved in mixed races and women-only races. Ngetich’s 1:05:15 performance is therefore compared with the recognised women-only standard rather than with faster marks that may have been achieved in races where men and women competed together.
Why Kenya’s Team Result Matters
The team title rewards depth rather than only the individual winner. Ngetich, Loleo and Jerono collectively gave Kenya the lowest combined time, showing that the country did not rely on a single outstanding performance in Copenhagen.
Ngetich’s 2026 Season in Context
Adding the half-marathon title to her world cross-country success makes 2026 a major year in Ngetich’s career. Her ability to compete across cross country and road racing also demonstrates the endurance range that makes Kenyan distance runners competitive across several disciplines.
Because the record is subject to the normal ratification process, the official World Athletics records database remains the final reference for its formal status.
