Mark Kosgey Kiptoo smashed the M50 world record at the San Sebastián Half Marathon on Sunday, running the 21.097-kilometer course in 1h03:57 and eclipsing the previous mark by more than two minutes.
The Kenyan athlete, who turned 50 in June, arrived in the Basque city with the explicit target of breaking the existing M50 world record of 1h06:17, according to race reports. Kiptoo not only achieved that goal but lowered the standard substantially on the damp Donostia asphalt, capping a performance that left him waiting at the finish line with his record certificate to greet fellow competitors.
How Kiptoo Built His Record-Breaking Run in San Sebastián
Racing under overcast skies with intermittent light rain that left the course wet, Kiptoo relied on early pacing help from local runner Joseba Díaz. Díaz guided the former Kenyan cross-country team captain through the opening seven kilometers at a steady pace hovering near 3:05 per kilometer. Once the pacing duties concluded past the seven-kilometer mark, Kiptoo pushed the tempo independently, covering subsequent kilometers at a three-minute flat pace while Iraitz Arrospide chased close behind.
The surge carried Kiptoo through the finish in 1h03:57, lowering the previous M50 world best by over two minutes. His victory adds another global masters milestone to a resume that already includes world age-group bests previously held by distance running greats Haile Gebreselasie and Paul Tergat. Me ha encantado correr en San Sebastián. Gracias a todos los que me han apoyado porque estoy realmente feliz con lo conseguido,
Kiptoo said after collecting his trophy.
Podium Finishes and Local Honors in Gipuzkoa
Behind Kiptoo, Iraitz Arrospide secured second place for the third year, clocking a personal course best of 1h04:51 that also earned him the prize as the top Basque and Gipuzkoan athlete. Youness Assehli followed in third with a time of 1h07:19, ahead of Javi Menta in fourth at 1h07:23 and French runner Pierre Urruty in fifth at 1h08:04. Gonzalo Fuentes collected the award for the top local Donostia finisher.
In the women’s division, Maitane Melero claimed her first victory in San Sebastián by winning the race in 1h15:44. The 43-year-old Navarrese runner, returning to top form following surgeries last year, executed a tactical race by letting Spanish marathon champion María Lázaro set the early pace. Lázaro built an initial lead before dropping back near the eighth kilometer, allowing Melero to assume control alongside a group of men and pull away to victory.
Race Statistics and Community Turnout
Swiss runner Janice Studler took second place in the women’s standings with a time of 1h18:19, closely followed by Lázaro in third at 1h18:27, Tala Elajou in fourth at 1h20:32, and Maite Arraiza in fifth at 1h21:20. Arraiza also swept the local honors as the top Donostia, Gipuzkoan, and Basque female competitor.
Organizers of the Rural Kutxa San Sebastián Half Marathon reported that approximately 4,000 runners started the race, with 3,800 officially crossing the finish line. As part of the event’s community outreach, race leadership presented a 4,000-euro check to ASPARGI, while athletes from Kemen also completed the full 21.097-kilometer distance.
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