An athlete in the African Country of Kenya presided upon by Uhuru Kenyatta has set a world record in the women's half marathon.

According to Ceoafrica, Peres Jepchirchir, clocked a time of one hour, five minutes and six seconds in the Ras al-Khaimah half marathon in the United Arab Emirates.

Her time was three seconds quicker than the mark set by fellow Kenyan, Florence Kiplagat, in Barcelona two years ago and the new record remains subject to ratification.

One commentator on social media platform of Twitter said that Jepchirchir's feat was all the more remarkable as she had just recovered from pneumonia.