Kenya's Agnes Ngetich shattered the women-only half-marathon world record on Sunday, clocking a remarkable one hour, five minutes, and 15 seconds at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen.

This victory marks a significant achievement for Ngetich, who has now claimed multiple major titles this year, reinforcing her dominance in distance running. The previous women-only record was held by another Kenyan, Peres Jepchirchir, who set the mark of 1:05:16 in Poland in 2020.

Ngetich took control of the race from the start on a bright morning in the Danish capital. She maintained her lead throughout the event, ultimately finishing 50 seconds ahead of her compatriot Veronica Loleo, who secured the second position.

This new record is a testament to Ngetich's consistent form and her ability to perform under pressure on the global stage. Her performance in Copenhagen adds to her already impressive 2026 season, which includes victories in the team half-marathon in the same event and the World Cross Country Championships in Florida in January.

The overall women's half-marathon world record, which includes mixed-gender races, remains with Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey, who recorded a time of 1:02:52 in Valencia in 2021. Ngetich's latest achievement specifically targets the record set in women-only competitions, highlighting a distinct category of athletic achievement.

Ngetich, 25, also broke the women-only 10km world record last year, demonstrating her prowess across different road racing distances. Her success contributes to Kenya's strong tradition in long-distance running, with multiple athletes consistently achieving top rankings.

The World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen also saw other notable performances, though Ngetich's record-breaking run was the standout event. The competition serves as a crucial platform for athletes aiming for global recognition and qualification for major upcoming events.

Further analysis of Ngetich's training and race strategy will likely follow, as her exceptional performance raises expectations for her future competitions. The focus now shifts to how she will build on this momentum in upcoming races, potentially challenging overall world records in the future.