Ababel Yeshaneh breaks half-marathon world record in Ras al Khaimah

Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh has broken the women's half-marathon world record in Ras al Khaimah.

The Rio 2016 Olympian took 20 seconds off the old record, held by Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei, in a time of one hour, four minutes 31 seconds.

It was one minute 15 seconds better than the 28-year-old's previous personal best, set in 2018.

Yeshaneh said after the race: "I didn't imagine this result, I am a world record holder!"

Marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei was second, and even her time – 1:04:49 – would have broken Jepkosgei's old mark.

The record is subject to World Athletics' ratification processes.

The women's race was under world record pace throughout, and the top eight women all finished inside 1:07.

However, the men's race did not threaten any records. Kibiwott Kandie of Kenya won in 58 minutes 18 seconds.