Geoffrey Kamworor smashes half marathon world record in Copenhagen

Geoffrey Kamworor smashed the half-marathon world record on Sunday, finishing the Copenhagen road race in a time of 58 minutes and one second (58:01).

The 26-year-old's time, which is subject to ratification, was 17 seconds quicker than Abraham Kiptum's set last year in Valencia.

Kamworor was competing in his first 13.1-mile race in almost five years, having prioritised setting a world record time over appearing in the upcoming IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha.

Slight rainfall during the race saw the Kenyan's pace drop in the final quarter but he maintained remarkable times throughout, completing 15 kilometres in 41 minutes and five seconds (41:05) and 20 km in exactly 55 minutes (55:00) - both world best times.

“It is very emotional for me to set this record,” said Kamworor. “And doing it in Copenhagen, where I won my first world title, adds something to it.”

Eliud Kipchoge, Kamworor's training partner, will again attempt to complete a full marathon inside two hours when he competes in Vienna in October.

The fellow Kenyan holds the current world record over 26.2 miles of two hours, one minute and 39 seconds (2:01:39), set in Berlin last year, and set the London Marathon record this year of two hours, two minutes and 37 seconds (2:02:37).