EDP Lisbon Half Marathon is an annual international half marathon competition which is contested every March in Lisbon, Portugal. It carries World Athletics Elite Label Road Race status. The men's course record of 57:20 was set by Jacob Kiplimo in 2026, which was the world record for the half marathon distance until August of that year. 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 occasions. 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.

History

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).Krol, Maarten (2009-03-29). Lisbon International Half Marathon. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.Moreira, Cristina & Costa, Paulo (2005-03-13). Tergat runs 59:10 in Lisbon Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.

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.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.Dixon, Andy (2009-05-06). Lisbon Half-Marathon. Runner's World. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.

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,Fernandes, Antonio Manuel (2009-03-20). Wanjiru, Lel and Cheruiyot top strong fields at Lisbon Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-22. 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.

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.Fernandes, Antonio Manuel (2008-03-16). In largely solo run, Gebrselassie takes Lisbon Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-22. 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.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.

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. Energias de Portugal has sponsored the competition for a number of years.

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

Winners

Key:

Year Men's winner Nationality Time(h:m:s) Women's winner Nationality Time(h:m:s) 2026 Jacob Kiplimo 57:20 Tsigie Gebreselama 1:04:48 2025 Abdi Waiss 59:44 Tsigie Gebreselama 1:04:21 2024 Dinkalem Ayele 1:00:36 Brigid Kosgei 1:05:51 2023 Nibret Melak 59:06 Almaz Ayana 1:05:30 2022 Kenneth Renju 1:00:13 Brigid Kosgei 1:06:46 2021 Jacob Kiplimo 57:31 Daisy Cherotich 1:06:15 2020 postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal 2019 Mosinet Geremew 59:37 Vivian Cheruiyot 1:06:34 2018 Eric Kiptanui 1:00:05 Etagegn Woldu 1:11:27 2017 Jake Robertson 1:00:01 Mare Dibaba 1:09:43 2016 Sammy Kitwara 59:47 Ruti Aga 1:09:16 2015 Mo Farah 59:32 Rose Chelimo 1:08:22 2014 Bedan Karoki 59:58 Worknesh Degefa 1:08:46 2013 Bernard Koech 59:54 Edna Kiplagat 1:08:48 2012 Zersenay Tadese 59:34 Shalane Flanagan 1:08:52 2011 Zersenay Tadese 58:30 Aberu Kebede 1:08:28 2010 Zersenay Tadese 58:23 Peninah Arusei 1:08:38 2009 Martin Lel 59:56 Kara Goucher 1:08:30 2008 Haile Gebrselassie 59:15 Salina Kosgei 1:09:57 2007 Robert Kipchumba 1:00:31 Rita Jeptoo 1:07:05 2006 Martin Lel 59:30 Salina Kosgei 1:07:52 2005 Paul Tergat 59:10 Susan Chepkemei 1:08:49 2004 Rodgers Rop 59:49 Joyce Chepchumba 1:08:11 2003 Martin Lel 1:00:10 Derartu Tulu 1:09:20 2002 Haile Gebrselassie 59:41 Susan Chepkemei 1:08:23 2001 Hendrick Ramaala 1:00:26 Susan Chepkemei 1:05:44 2000 Paul Tergat 59:06 Tegla Loroupe 1:07:23 1999 Japhet Kosgei 1:00:01 Tegla Loroupe 1:07:52 1998 António Pinto 59:43 Catherina McKiernan 1:07:50 1997 Mohammed Mourhit 1:01:17 Tegla Loroupe 1:09:01 1996 Clement Kiprotich 1:01:15 Tegla Loroupe 1:07:12 1995 Simon Lopuyet 1:00:26 Tegla Loroupe 1:08:21 1994 Andrés Espinosa 1:01:34 Tegla Loroupe 1:09:27 1993 Sammy Lelei 59:24 Nadezhda Ilyina 1:09:47 1992 Tendai Chimusasa 1:01:17 Heléna Barócsi 1:10:01 1991 Paul Evans 1:01:44 Rosa Mota 1:09:52

Statistics

Winners by country CountryMen's raceWomen's raceTotal 16 18 34 5 10 15 3 0 3 1 1 2 0 2 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1

Multiple winners AthleteCountryWinsYearsTegla Loroupe61994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000Susan Chepkemei32001, 2002, 2005Martin Lel32003, 2006, 2009Paul Tergat22000, 2005Zersenay Tadese32010, 2011, 2012Haile Gebrselassie22002, 2008Salina Kosgei22006, 2008Tsehay Gemechu22021, 2022

See also Lisbon Marathon Portugal Half Marathon

References

List of winners Krol, Maarten (2009-03-29). Lisbon International Half Marathon. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.

External links Official website