Ngetich breaks women-only half-marathon record in Copenhagen

On 20 September 2026 Agnes Ngetich broke the women-only half-marathon world record and won gold at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, finishing in 1:05:15.

Sweden's Andreas Almgren won the men's half marathon in Copenhagen, lowering his own European record to 58:06.

Ngetich, 25, had previously set a women-only 10km world record of 29:27 in April 2025.

In 2024 she broke the 10km world record in Valencia, running 28:46 to become the first woman under 29 minutes in a mixed road race.

Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey holds the overall women's half-marathon world record at 1:02:52.

Her 1:05:15 performance took one second off the women-only half-marathon mark set by her compatriot Peres Jepchirchir when Jepchirchir won the World half marathon gold in 2020.

"My coach believed in me and told me that I could do it, that I could win the gold medal," said Ngetich, 25.

"So, I am very happy and very grateful to now hold the world half marathon record, too," said Ngetich, 25.

Sweden's Andreas Almgren improved his own European half-marathon record by 35 seconds to cross the line in 58:06 in Copenhagen.

"I am now going to discuss with my coach what is ahead of me. But I know I am coming back to track races in 2027, because there is a World Athletics Championships. It is my dream to win a gold medal on the track. It is the only one I am missing," said Ngetich, 25.

Ngetich said she will discuss her schedule with her coach and is coming back to track races in 2027 to target the World Athletics Championships.