Two-time world cross-country champion Jacob Kiplimo delivered a stunning performance at the NN Zevenheuvelenloop in Nijmegen on Sunday, November 17, smashing his own course record by an impressive 23 seconds.
The Ugandan star completed the 15km race in 40:42, marking the fastest time ever recorded in a standalone 15km event.
Though Kiplimo has run faster splits, such as the 40:27 he achieved en route to his world record half marathon in Lisbon in 2021, this performance stands as a testament to his enduring dominance.
Kiplimo’s previous Zevenheuvelenloop record of 41:05, set last year, was obliterated as he raced ahead with determination from the start.
Reaching the 2km mark in just 5:26, Kiplimo established an early lead, which only widened as the race progressed.
He hit 5km in 13:44 and surged even faster in the next 5km segment, clocking 27:15 at the 10km mark — a pace 34 seconds faster than last year and two minutes ahead of the chasing pack.
Kiplimo’s relentless momentum carried him to the finish line, continuing Uganda’s dominance at the Zevenheuvelenloop, where Ugandan men have won the past eight editions.
Behind him, the Netherlands’ Mike Foppen secured second place in 43:19, narrowly edging Britain’s Marc Scott, who clocked 43:21.
Alem triumphs in women’s race
In the women’s event, Ethiopia’s Mizan Alem impressed with a strong debut on the road, claiming victory in 46:51.
Alem, the 2021 world U20 5000m champion, overcame an early nine-second deficit to Diane van Es of the Netherlands by 2km. She caught and passed Van Es around 3.5km and never looked back.
Alem crossed the 5km point in 15:54 and hit 10km in 31:27, finishing a full minute ahead of Van Es, who took second in 47:51.
Alem’s time places her behind only Letesenbet Gidey (44:20) and Tirunesh Dibaba (46:29) in the event’s history.
Leading Results
Men
- Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) – 40:42
- Mike Foppen (NED) – 43:19
- Marc Scott (GBR) – 43:21
- Rui Aoki (JPN) – 43:23
- Matthew Kiplimo (KEN) – 43:24
Women
- Mizan Alem (ETH) – 46:51
- Diane van Es (NED) – 47:51
- Enyish Mengie (ETH) – 49:21
- Fionnuala McCormack (IRL) – 49:22
- Haruka Ogawa (JPN) – 49:39
