Jacob Kiplimo sets a new world record in the half marathon at the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks 2025

• The Ugandan athlete, for the second time in his career, has set a new world record (56:42). Meanwhile, Joyciline Jepkosgei has broken the female record for the race (01:04:11), setting a new one 18 seconds faster.
• Over 30,000 runners participated in a great running celebration, with a record 40% female participation. More than half of the participants (55%) were between 18 and 35 years old.
• The official post-race party at the Poble Espanyol, PaRUNDA, sold out with 3,500 tickets.

Barcelona enjoyed this Sunday the best runner and festive atmosphere with the most crowded half-marathon in Spain and the second largest in Europe, the 35th eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks. From Thursday to Sunday evening, athletes, supporters, and the citizens of Barcelona enjoyed a true sports celebration in the Catalan capital. On Thursday, February 13, Friday, February 14, and Saturday, February 15, there was a great atmosphere at Expo Sports (Runner’s Fair), which saw nearly 60,000 visitors in 2025.

More than 30,000 runners, with the highest participation figure in the race’s history for the second consecutive year, started at Passeig de Picasso at 8:30 am, with a temperature of 11ºC and 85% humidity on a day with clouds and sunshine and no wind, perfect for running. The race, organized by the Barcelona City Council and RPM Sports, also saw a historical record in the total number of female runners, with over 12,000 women, representing 40% of the total participants, and also 40% of international runners from up to 95 different nationalities. Furthermore, the city of Barcelona got involved in this event, cheering participants at 22 cheer points (Hot Spots) along the more than 21 kilometers of the circuit and enjoying a spectacular start, which was livened up by the group Piratas RumbVersions.

Kiplimo shines in Barcelona and sets a new world record in the half marathon
He started as the favorite and showed why. The Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo led the race solo, leaving his pacemaker and rivals behind before the 5 km mark (13:34), with a 15-second lead. He passed the 10 km in 26:46, almost a minute faster than the men’s elite pack, led by Kenyan and second-place finisher Geoffrey Kamworor, who was at 27:40 at the 10K along with third-place finisher, also Kenyan, Samwel Mailu. By the 15 km mark, Kiplimo was almost two minutes (1:58) faster than his pursuers, crossing the finish line in 56:42, setting a new world record and beating the previous one by 48 seconds. Kenyan Kamworor finished second in 58:44, while his compatriot Mailu completed the men’s podium in 59:40.

JACOB KIPLIMO: “I didn’t expect to set a new world record, but it was the perfect race. I ran alone the whole race and felt fantastic.”
GEOFFREY KAMWOROR: “It was an incredible day, with my teammate Jacob setting the world record. I’m very happy with my second place.”
SAMWEL MAILU: “I wanted to be on the podium, and I achieved it. I prepared for it. This is my fastest time of the year, and it works perfectly because in March I want to return to Barcelona for the Zurich Marató Barcelona.”

Jepkosgei lowers the women’s race record by 27 seconds and improves her own best time in Barcelona
Once again, without opposition, the Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei reigned in Barcelona. She led the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks 2025 uncontested, becoming the fastest woman in the race for the second consecutive year, setting a new circuit record, improving her previous record from last year by 27 seconds (01:04:11). Her compatriot Gladys Chepkurui maintained second place throughout the race, finishing in 01:06:25. The third place in the women’s category went to Ethiopian Alemtsehay Bimr Zerihun (01:08:19).

JOYCILINE JEPKOSGEI: “I’m very happy to have won again and to have lowered the circuit time. I would love to return because I really like this course and the city. I want to improve year after year.”
GLADYS CHEPKURUI: “My goal was to get onto the podium in Barcelona no matter what, and finally, after several attempts, I’ve achieved it.”
ALEMTSEHAY ZERIHUN: “I trained to be on the podium, and that’s what happened. I’m very happy with my result.”

On the other hand, the best national athlete of the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks 2025 was Jorge Gonzalez Rivera (01:01:52). Similarly, the best national female time was achieved by Carolina Robles, a debutant at this distance (01:09:38).

The charitable and festive side of the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks 2025
On one hand, the charitable aspect of this year’s eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks 2025 came from Zurich Foundation, which donated 1 euro for every finisher. In the end, the total amount raised was 27,053 euros, and it will be donated to Hospital Sant Joan de Déu.

On the other hand, the festive highlight was the PaRUNda, the official after-race party to celebrate crossing the finish line of the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks 2025 at the Poble Espanyol. The first edition of the official after-party for the Barcelona half marathon, which took place from 11 am to 7 pm, was a great success, selling all 3,500 tickets available, with a full-house atmosphere featuring food trucks and performances by DJ Carrera, DJ Allez, Piratas RumbVersion, and The Santos.