Lisbon Half Marathon

Last updated
Lisbon Half Marathon
Ponte 25 de Abril at sunset 01.jpg
The mass race begins by crossing the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge
DateMarch
Location Lisbon, Portugal
Event type Road
Distance Half marathon
Primary sponsor EDP
Established1991
Course recordsMen's: 57:31 (2021)
Flag of Uganda.svg Jacob Kiplimo
Women's: 1:05:30 (2024)
Flag of Ethiopia.svg Almaz Ayana
Official site Lisbon Half Marathon
Participants7793 finishers (2022)
5,424 finishers (2021)
15,692 (2019)

EDP Lisbon Half Marathon is an annual international half marathon competition which is contested every March in Lisbon, Portugal. It carries IAAF Gold Label Road Race status. [1] The men's course record of 57:31 was set by Jacob Kiplimo in 2021, which was the world record for the half marathon distance until 2024. [2] Kenyan runners have been very successful in the competition, accounting for over half of the total winners, with Tegla Loroupe taking the honours in the women's race on six separate occasions. [3] The Lisbon Half Marathon is not to be confused with Luso Portugal Half Marathon, another prominent half marathon race which is also held in Lisbon in October.

Contents

History

Jeronimos Monastery South.jpg
Torre Belem April 2009-4a.jpg
The course passes the Jerónimos Monastery (left) and the Belém Tower

First held in 1991, the race has consistently delivered fast winning times. However, many of these times have been unratifiable for record purposes due to factors including: the course being too short (1991–93), excessive tailwinds, as well as there being an excessive drop in altitude, which boosted athletes' performances (1996, 1998, 2000–01, 2004, and 2006). [3] [4]

The course was judged as non-permissible for records until 2008, in which year the organisers changed the elite course to allow for records. The new course begins at sea level on the north side of the river Tagus, a change which made the course entirely flat. The course for the mass participation race, which has attracted almost 30,000 runners in previous years, remained unchanged and begins by crossing the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge before linking up with the new elite course. [5] [6]

The current elite course of the half marathon begins in a small town on the north bank of the Tagus, no longer crossing the bridge, [7] and the course is wide and flat from there on. Heading eastwards towards the city centre, the course passes the docks and traces a route alongside much of the city's historical architecture, including the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. [6]

From 2008 onwards, the organisers set aside a €50,000 prize pot for any athlete breaking the world record over the half marathon distance. This led to the participation of a number of prominent athletes, with marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie winning the 2008 edition, while Charles Kamathi and Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot followed behind. [8] Another strong field was assembled in 2010 and Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea broke both the 20 kilometres and half marathon world records in his winning run. [2]

The competition also hosts a mini marathon race, which has featured many prominent Portuguese citizens, including the former President of Portugal Jorge Sampaio, and José Socrates, the Portuguese Prime Minister. [4] Energias de Portugal has sponsored the competition for a number of years. [8] [4]

The 2020 edition of the race was first postponed to 2020.09.06, and then to 2021.05.09, due to the coronavirus pandemic. [9] [10]

Winners

Zersenay Tadese broke the world record in 2010. Tadesse.jpg
Zersenay Tadese broke the world record in 2010.
Kara Goucher won the women's race in 2009. Kara Goucher Boston 2009.jpg
Kara Goucher won the women's race in 2009.

Key:  Course record  Short or assisted course

YearMen's winnerNationalityTime
(h:m:s)
Women's winnerNationalityTime
(h:m:s)
2024 Dinkalem Ayele Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1:00:36 Brigid Kosgei Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:05:51
2023 Nibret Melak Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 59:06 Almaz Ayana Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1:05:30
2022 Kenneth Renju Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:00:13 Tsehay Gemechu Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1:06:44
2021 Jacob Kiplimo Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 57:31 Tsehay Gemechu Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1:06:06
2020postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal [10]
2019 Mosinet Geremew Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 59:37 Vivian Cheruiyot Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:06:34
2018 Eric Kiptanui Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:00:05 Etagegn Woldu Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1:11:27
2017 Jake Robertson Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 1:00:01 Mare Dibaba Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1:09:43
2016 Sammy Kitwara Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 59:47 Ruti Aga Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1:09:16
2015 Mo Farah Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 59:32 Rose Chelimo Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:08:22
2014 Bedan Karoki Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 59:58 Worknesh Degefa Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1:08:46
2013 Bernard Koech Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 59:54 Edna Kiplagat Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:08:48
2012 Zersenay Tadese Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 59:34 Shalane Flanagan Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 1:08:52
2011 Zersenay Tadese Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 58:30 Aberu Kebede Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1:08:28
2010 Zersenay Tadese Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 58:23 Peninah Arusei Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:08:38
2009 Martin Lel Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 59:56 Kara Goucher Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 1:08:30
2008 Haile Gebrselassie Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 59:15 Salina Kosgei Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:09:57
2007 Robert Kipchumba Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:00:31 Rita Jeptoo Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:07:05
2006 Martin Lel Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 59:30 Salina Kosgei Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:07:52
2005 Paul Tergat Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 59:10 Susan Chepkemei Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:08:49
2004 Rodgers Rop Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 59:49 Joyce Chepchumba Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:08:11
2003 Martin Lel Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:00:10 Derartu Tulu Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1:09:20
2002 Haile Gebrselassie Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 59:41 Susan Chepkemei Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:08:23
2001 Hendrick Ramaala Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 1:00:26 Susan Chepkemei Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:05:44
2000 Paul Tergat Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 59:06 Tegla Loroupe Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:07:23
1999 Japhet Kosgei Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:00:01 Tegla Loroupe Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:07:52
1998 António Pinto Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 59:43 Catherina McKiernan Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 1:07:50
1997 Mohammed Mourhit Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 1:01:17 Tegla Loroupe Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:09:01
1996 Clement Kiprotich Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:01:15 Tegla Loroupe Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:07:12
1995 Simon Lopuyet Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:00:26 Tegla Loroupe Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:08:21
1994 Andrés Espinosa Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 1:01:34 Tegla Loroupe Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1:09:27
1993 Sammy Lelei Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 59:24 Nadezhda Ilyina Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 1:09:47
1992 Tendai Chimusasa Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 1:01:17 Heléna Barócsi Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 1:10:01
1991 Paul Evans Flag of England.svg  England 1:01:44 Rosa Mota Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 1:09:52

Statistics

Martin Lel (right) is historically the most successful male runner of the competition 20060423 Felix Limo and Martin Lel.jpg
Martin Lel (right) is historically the most successful male runner of the competition
Tegla Loroupe is a six-time winner of the race. Loroupe, Tegla.JPG
Tegla Loroupe is a six-time winner of the race.

Winners by country

CountryMen's raceWomen's raceTotal
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 161733
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 3710
Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 303
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 112
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 022
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 101
Flag of England.svg  England 101
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 011
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 011
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 101
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 011
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 101
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 101
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 101
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 101

Multiple winners

AthleteCountryWinsYears
Tegla Loroupe Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 61994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000
Susan Chepkemei Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 32001, 2002, 2005
Martin Lel Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 32003, 2006, 2009
Paul Tergat Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 22000, 2005
Zersenay Tadese Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 32010, 2011, 2012
Haile Gebrselassie Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 22002, 2008
Salina Kosgei Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 22006, 2008
Tsehay Gemechu Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 22021, 2022

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zersenay Tadese</span> Eritrean long-distance runner (born 1982)

Zersenay Tadese Habtesilase[nb] is a retired Eritrean long-distance track and road running athlete. He held the men's half marathon world record from 2010 to 2018. His bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the 2004 Athens Olympics made him the first ever Eritrean Olympic medallist, and his 20-km title at the 2006 IAAF World Road Running Championships also made him the country's first athlete to win at a world championship event. He does not use a sprint finish to win races; his strategy relies on a combination of efficient running and fast pace setting.

Terefe Maregu Zewdie, also known as Dereje Maregu and Zwedo Maregu, is an Ethiopian runner who specializes in the 5000 metres. His personal best time is 13:06.39 minutes, achieved in July 2004 in Rome.

The Zevenheuvelenloop is an annual road race of 15 kilometres held in and around Nijmegen, Netherlands. It was first organised in 1984 and has grown to be one of the largest road races in the Netherlands; it attracted over 30,000 runners in 2008.

Alice Jemeli Timbilil is a Kenyan professional long-distance runner. She is a two-time Olympian, having competed over 10,000 metres at both the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peninah Arusei</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Peninah Arusei Jerop is a Kenyan professional long-distance runner who specialises in road running competitions, especially the half marathon. She has represented Kenya at the Olympics, having competed in the 10,000 metres race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Arusei has won races on the European road circuit, including the Dam tot Damloop, Berlin Half Marathon and Lisbon Half Marathon.

Leah Malot is a runner from Kenya. She is known for her long career. She started her international career by winning a gold medal at the 1987 All-Africa Games, aged only 15. A decade later she was a constant competitor at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

Luso Portugal Half Marathon or Hyundai Meia Maratona de Portugal is an annual half marathon contested every October in Lisbon, Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emmanuel Kipchirchir Mutai</span> Kenyan marathon runner

Emmanuel Kipchirchir Mutai is a long distance runner from Kenya, who specialises in marathons. As of January 2024 his time of 2:03:13 is now the joint 13th fastest. When he ran that time it was the 2nd fastest time ever and is the 3rd fastest ever with a non carbon shoe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sammy Kitwara</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Sammy Kirop Kitwara is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specialises in road running events. He is coached by Moses Kiptanui. As of November 2023 he is the 33rd fastest half marathon runner in history, having run 58.48 in 2011, which was the 4th fastest ever at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oeiras International Cross Country</span>

The Oeiras International Cross Country is an annual cross country running competition that takes place in Oeiras, Portugal. Established in 2000, it is usually held in mid-November and is traditionally the first competition of the IAAF's cross country season, which culminates each year in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inês Monteiro</span> Portuguese athlete

Inês Alexandra das Neves Monteiro is a Portuguese athlete who competes in middle and long-distance track running, as well as road running and cross country. She started out as a cross country runner, winning a silver and a gold medal at the 1998 and 1999 European junior race. She has represented Portugal at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, and has competed twice at the World Championships in Athletics. She is a regular performer at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, generally finishing around 30th place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucas Rotich</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Lucas Kimeli Rotich, Kapsoiyo Village, Elgeyo Marakwet County is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in the 5000 metres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ana Dulce Félix</span> Portuguese long-distance runner (born 1982)

Ana Dulce Ferreira FélixComM is a Portuguese long distance runner who competes in track, cross country, and road running events. She ran the Olympic marathon in 2012 and 2016 and placed 21st and 16th, respectively.

Samuel Kiplimo Kosgei was a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in road running competitions.

The Lisbon Marathon or the EDP Lisbon Marathon is an annual marathon held in Lisbon, Portugal in the month of October, established in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helena Kirop</span> Kenyan long-distance runner

Helena Loshanyang Kirop is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specialises in marathon running. Her personal best for the distance is 2:23:37 hours and she has won the Prague International Marathon and Venice Marathon.

Silas Kipngetich Sang is a Kenyan long-distance runner who mainly competes in half marathon competitions. He is a three-time winner of the Portugal Half Marathon and set his personal best of 1:00:20 hours at the race in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porto Half Marathon</span>

The Porto Half Marathon is an annual half marathon road running event held in Porto, Portugal which follows the River Douro. Known as the Hyundai Porto Half Marathon for sponsorship reasons, the inaugural edition was held in 2007 and it typically takes place every mid-September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manuel Damião</span> Portuguese Olympic runner

Manuel Damião is a Portuguese middle- and long-distance runner. He represented Portugal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He is a two-time silver medallist at the Ibero-American Championships in Athletics and participated in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships on ten occasions from 1997 to 2011.

The 20K run is a long distance foot race. It is a rarely held race that is not recognized as an Olympic event. The event held IAAF world championship status in 2006 only, when the existing IAAF World Half Marathon Championships briefly hosted the shorter distance.

References

  1. Fernandes, Antonio Manuel (2009-03-22). Lel and Goucher win in Lisbon Archived 2012-04-26 at the Wayback Machine . IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.
  2. 1 2 World Athletics (2021-11-21). [https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/jacob-kiplimo-world-half-marathon-record-lisbon Kiplimo breaks world half marathon record in Lisbon. World Athletics. Retrieved on 2021-11-22.
  3. 1 2 Krol, Maarten (2009-03-29). Lisbon International Half Marathon. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.
  4. 1 2 3 Moreira, Cristina & Costa, Paulo (2005-03-13). Tergat runs 59:10 in Lisbon Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.
  5. Fernandes, Antonio Manuel (2008-03-14). New course, new bonus and amazing fields for EDP Lisbon Half Marathon - PREVIEW. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.
  6. 1 2 Dixon, Andy (2009-05-06). Lisbon Half-Marathon. Runner's World . Retrieved on 2010-03-22.
  7. Fernandes, Antonio Manuel (2009-03-20). Wanjiru, Lel and Cheruiyot top strong fields at Lisbon Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.
  8. 1 2 Fernandes, Antonio Manuel (2008-03-16). In largely solo run, Gebrselassie takes Lisbon Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.
  9. https://files.cdsi.pt/maratona/comunicado_coronavirus_2020.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  10. 1 2 "COVID-19: Meia Maratona e Maratona de Lisboa adiadas para 2021".
  11. "Race Results 2009". Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
List of winners