For The Win

Record Breaker Jacob Kiplimo Is Ushering in a New Era of Speed

Multiple exposure sequence of a Nike athlete Jacob Kiplimo in black Nike racing kit captured mid-stride.

October 23, 2026
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Speed is often measured as distance over time. When one thinks of Jacob Kiplimo, they probably think fast because of how he’s worked that equation: an Olympic bronze medal running a 10K in 27:43; a world record hitting 57:20 in the half-marathon; a blistering 2:00:28 for the marathon, the third fastest time ever. For Kiplimo, however, speed doesn’t come from seeing the right pixels on a stopwatch. After all, distance over time can’t measure the thousands of miles he's run during his 25 years.

Instead, speed is defined by a childhood in rural Uganda trying to keep up with four older brothers. Speed is also defined by friendship through competition with Olympic gold medalist and compatriot Joshua Cheptegei, as each athlete seeks to bring pride to their country by breaking into the upper echelon of African running. Paradoxically, speed for Kiplimo is also defined by the slowness of a farm and the satisfaction of a meal that has been nurtured over months from root to spoon — similar to the quiet work that goes into a long-awaited breakthrough on the course.

The at-times bashful Ugandan is likely fast because he also has a confident side, one that keeps him fearless and undeterred by failure. Yes, Kiplimo has had successes and setbacks, but we would not know which is which if we simply looked at race results. If the now-established running star simply measured himself by distance over time, he wouldn’t be able to push the impossible.

Here, he speaks in his own words on what it means to compete for his country, the importance of slowing down, and how his partnership with Nike is helping him rewrite the record books.

Uganda is my country, and I’ll always love it. For me, it’s amazing representing it, especially going out there, performing well, and getting to wave the flag. When I’m competing all over the world, I always remember seeing people from Uganda too. I run with Uganda in my mind, but because I run alone, I have to always compete as Kiplimo.

Jacob Kiplimo walks barefoot across a pressure-sensing mat in the Nike Sport Research Lab facility surrounded by biometric data displays.

Jacob Kiplimo, Ugandan long-distance runner, wearing a black Nike jacket in a sports science lab with biometric monitoring screens visible in the background.

Jacob Kiplimo viewed from behind analyzes biomechanical data on a monitor showing a 3D human figure in motion capture software.

Kiplimo takes Nike’s proprietary Baseline test at a recent visit to the Nike Sport Research Lab. Made up of five assessments, Baseline is as foundational as it sounds. The assessments are borrowed from the worlds of biomechanics, physical therapy and exercise science, and they can be completed in a matter of minutes.

Baseline tests include a 3D body scan, a foot scan, a barefoot pressure test, an ankle range-of-motion test and countermovement jumps. Considered together, the test results form the baseline of a person’s athletic profile — how powerful they are, how mobile they are, how explosive they are, and other traits.

Knowing these attributes gives Nike researchers, scientists and designers a clearer picture of how to serve an athlete’s needs.

I know I have the opportunity to achieve something truly special in my life. World Championships and Olympics are coming, and it’s my target to represent Uganda and achieve something that will bring pride to myself and my country.

Especially in the Olympics, it would mean a lot to represent Uganda well. But I also need to focus on this year, and recovering and training the best I can, because I know I am always competing against the best, so I train always with the goal that I need to be the best.

“Seeing someone else win just means there is a new challenge. And that’s good. It motivates me.”
Jacob Kiplimo, marathoner and world-record breaker

When I broke the half-marathon record, I remember being so happy to see my name when I crossed the finish line. I knew it was a big achievement, and I knew I had done something special. In London, of course I thought I might be the one who would break the marathon record too — but I was still happy to see that it was broken and that I was able to break the previous record. Because seeing someone else win just means there is a new challenge. And that’s good — it motivates me.

I remember the first time I tried the double-stacked Air bags in the Apex. The cushioning was exactly what I needed. I started using it in my training runs, and I gave my best feedback to Nike, and they were able to build me a custom version. I used that prototype in London and I ran well, so I made sure the team knew that version was one to keep building on for future races.

Farming is something that is very good for me. I train hard because I want to be the best during races, but farming allows me to slow down and recharge my mind and body to go out and train hard again. I mostly farm maize and sweet potato, which is especially good, because it allows me to fuel my body with healthy foods. Everything in my life is about going fast, so it is important for me to do something that keeps me focused on that priority and what I need to do, but also balances it.

“Farming is something that is very good for me. I train hard because I want to be the best during races, but farming allows me to slow down and recharge my mind and body to go out and train hard again.”
Jacob Kiplimo

Elite male runners, including Jacob Kiplimo, wearing Nike racing kits compete on a Chicago street beneath a steel bridge with spectators cheering from both sides.

I want to be known as someone who is disciplined and consistent in what I do. Of course, it feels good to be known at all and to have people cheer me on, but I want to be an inspiration. I want people to know me for how hard I work, and I want them to know that I seek out competition without fear.

The marathon is the biggest race now, and that is why I want to keep mastering it. I started my transition to the marathon after the Olympics, and I can say that I am proud of how I have progressed this year, but I still have so much to learn. I’m still learning to get the most out of my training for this race. I don’t think I’m quite good yet, but in a year or two years, I think I can be very good at the marathon.