With a fast course and an elite field, another record-breaking weekend could be ahead at the Lisbon Half Marathon on Sunday (8), with the French records most vulnerable.
In the men’s race, France will be strongly represented by three of the country’s top distance runners consisting of European 10km silver medallist Etienne Daguinos (personal best: 59:46), European half marathon bronze medallist Valentin Gondouin (1:00:17), and Hassan Chahdi (1:01:05).
The trio will likely have their eyes on Emmanuel Roudolff’s French national record of 59:37 set last month in Barcelona.
Portuguese 10km record holder Samuel Barata will lead the home charge on a course famous for producing historic performances.
Said Mechaal, fresh off breaking the Spanish national 10km record in Valancia in January, arrives in Lisbon in excellent form, while Norway’s Awet Kibrab—one of the fastest European marathon debutants in history with 2:04:24—adds further depth to the continental challenge.
They will face a formidable international field led by Uganda’s three-times world cross country champion Jacob Kiplimo, who returns to the race where he produced one of the most iconic performances in road running history.
In 2021, Kiplimo ran 57:31 in Lisbon to break the half marathon world record, a mark that stood until 2024 and remains the course record today.
The Lisbon course has long been synonymous with record-breaking performances. Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese set a world record of 58:23 here in 2010, while British legend Mo Farah ran 59:32 in 2015 to become the first Briton to break the one-hour barrier and set a then-European record.
Woldu eyeing French women's record
In the women’s race, European hopes will rest largely on France’s Mekdes Woldu (1:08:36), who enters the race within striking distance of the Alessia Zarbo’s national record of 1:08:20.
Ethiopia’s Tsigie Gebreselama returns to Lisbon as the defending champion and course record holder. Her winning time of 1:04:21 last year not only shattered the previous course record but also placed her among the fastest women in half marathon history.