This powerful combination of technology and talent has already reaped rewards. After securing a dominant win at the 2025 Chicago Marathon and shattering the half-marathon world record this March in Lisbon, the 25-year-old is now targeting success at the 2026 London Marathon.

To mark World Health Day (WHD) 2026 on April 7, Samsung Newsroom asked him to detail his data-driven training regime which embodies this year’s WHD slogan, “Together for health. Stand with science.”

With exclusive access to his Samsung Health metrics, we take an inside look into his grueling training program which has seen him cover over 100 km in just one week. Discover how insights led him to adjust his training for optimal recovery and how even a “rest day” can include a 3 km run.

Screenshots from Jacob Kiplimo’s Samsung Health app show his varied training routine, including light jogs and long-distance runs  

Congratulations on your recent world record at the 2026 Lisbon Half Marathon. What’s the secret to your success?

There’s no secret. It’s just about discipline. You have to work hard, be extremely focused, and manage your energy — knowing when to rest and when to push harder. But honestly, the most important part is that you have to really want what you’re working toward. I wouldn’t have broken the world record if I didn’t follow that formula.

You finished second at the 2025 London Marathon and are now preparing to go one step further at this year’s event. What role has your Galaxy Watch8 played in your training?

My coach doesn’t live in Uganda, so my Galaxy Watch8 has basically become his personal assistant here. Even though he’s not with me, he can get real-time analysis and reports on my running form through the Running Analysis feature in Samsung Health. We track my heart rate and pay close attention to my pace for each kilometer. During the harder sessions, I also monitor the asymmetry readings to see if I’m overcompensating on one side so I can avoid strain. Contact time is another key aspect I keep an eye on, making small adjustments to my form to ensure every stride is as efficient as possible. I always try to improve my running economy, so these insights are incredibly helpful.

Looking at your recent Samsung Health data, we can see some clear patterns in your training routine. Tell us about your regime.

Consistency is key, but athletes must not be obsessed with training. What many people don’t realize is that rest is equally as important as physical training. To compete at your best, you need to be able to maximize your energy, and the only way to do that is through consistent rest. But “rest” doesn’t always mean no training. A rest day can mean running 3 km instead of 40 km. You have to be consistent in what you’re doing, but you also need to listen to your body and know when to slow down. Technology can help a lot with this.

Jacob Kiplimo’s Samsung Health data from March 13–19 reveals how he ramps up his training routine throughout the week

Can you give us an example of how a specific insight from the Samsung Health app led you to adapt your training program?

The decision to run 3 km instead of 40 km that I just mentioned was a true story. After experiencing some lingering soreness during a recent 24 km run, I decided to turn what was intended to be a 40 km run into a light 3 km jog to ensure I could recover and have the stamina to get through 40 km another day. The Samsung Health app was very helpful for me here. It kept me informed so I could allow my body to fully recover and prevent a potential injury or burnout.

We’ve seen how a professional runner like yourself uses data to reach their goals. What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their running journey, and how can the Running Coach feature get them on the right track?

For beginners, it is very important to ease into things and be patient. You will build up stamina over time; it’s about knowing when to push yourself and when to stop. Not everyone has a personal coach with them to tailor a training plan. But the Running Coach feature provides customized programs to help even beginners train for a marathon. It tells you exactly what you should be doing during a run, motivates you, and helps you improve. New runners are fortunate to have this fantastic technology which can guide them every step of the way. It’s also great for more experienced runners looking to take on a full marathon as it provides structured training programs.

On World Health Day, the message is “Together for health, stand with science.” How does this relate to your own philosophy?

Science helps me throughout my training. I don’t know where I would be without the ability to track data on my Galaxy Watch8. I use that science to shape my daily routine. Science and technology help me to perform at my best, and I believe it can do the same for anyone.

Jacob Kiplimo training for the London Marathon with his Galaxy Watch8 

From a young runner in Uganda to a world-record holder, Jacob Kiplimo proves what happens when relentless dedication meets smart technology. Whether you are an elite athlete striving for the podium or someone taking your first steps towards a healthier lifestyle, Galaxy Watch8 provides actionable insights to help you build healthier habits and reach your goals.

Biohacking is about turning personal health data into micro-upgrades that boost wellness and longevity. Early biohackers might have chased these gains with extreme diets, supplements and experimental techniques. But if you scroll your social feed today, tech leads the conversation.

At the forefront of this tech-driven movement is the Galaxy Watch8 series ^[1]. Seamlessly integrating into your daily routine, it quietly tracks key lifestyle metrics so you can see how the choices you make throughout the day impact your health.

Before we dive in, let’s do a quick check-in: how many of these biohacks are already part of your routine?

Already acing your biohacks? The Galaxy Watch8 series help you refine each habit for faster, smarter gains.

Optimise Your Sleep with Biohacking

We spend about 30% of our lives asleep, yet irregular schedules and sub-optimal environments still undermine rest. The Galaxy Watch8 series helps you optimise your sleep by analysing your sleep patterns and environment, identifying issues, and giving actionable tips to help build consistent, restorative sleep habits.

• How can I follow a regular sleep schedule?

Wear Galaxy Watch8 for three nights to unlock Bedtime Guidance^[2]. It analyses your sleep patterns, recommending the best times to wind down, based on your sleep pressure and circadian rhythm, helping you reset your sleep schedule and maximise alertness during the day.

• How can I improve my sleep quality?

Galaxy Watch8 tracks every toss, turn and breath of your night. Each morning you get an in-depth sleep analysis based on your sleep stages, heart rate, skin temperature and oxygen level, highlighting what helped or hindered your rest.

You can also access a Sleep Environment Report which leverages data from your other SmartThings devices to analyse temperature, humidity, CO2 and illuminance. With this data at your fingertips, you can easily optimise your room conditions for a better night’s sleep.   

• What can I do during the day to improve my sleep?

Once your sleep patterns are defined, Sleep Coaching assigns you a Sleep Animal and delivers personalised tips like adding a quick meditation session or skipping late-day caffeine. With Galaxy Watch8, small, daily habit upgrades are easy, and better nights are within reach.

Optimise Your Workouts with Biohacking

Some people train for marathons. Others just want to feel less stiff after sitting all day. So how do you reach your goals while staying motivated? The Galaxy Watch8 series gives you all the answers, all while sitting snugly on your wrist thanks to its sleek design and dynamic lug system.

• How do I set the ideal fitness goal for me?

Galaxy Watch8’s built-in Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor measures your body fat percentage, body-water content and skeletal muscle mass, so you get a comprehensive snapshot of your body. These insights help you create a personalised training plan and track every step of your progress.

• How can I start running more consistently?

Start with Running Coach ^[3], which analyses your pace and fitness level after just a 12-minute run to build a custom routine. It also keeps you motivated during your runs with real-time feedback, helping you to reach your goals. Worried about potential injury from doing too much too soon? Running Coach provides tailored training programs at the ideal intensity, helping you gain speed safely.

• How can I maximise recovery after training?

Samsung Health gives you the tools for optimal post-workout recovery. Check your heart rate after an intense workout and get recommendations on water intake based on sweat loss, so you can get the rest you need to come back stronger.

[Bonus Tip] Try Zone 2 ^[4] interval training, known to improve endurance and boost fat burning potential. Galaxy Watch8 sets personalised Heart Rate Zones based on your fitness level to help you stay within your personal HR Zone 2 for peak results.

Optimise Your Nutrition with Biohacking

Now that sleep and activity are under control, turn to the everyday habits that drive healthy ageing. The Galaxy Watch8 series is the first smartwatch to track antioxidant levels, giving you a real-time view of your cellular health and how each lifestyle choice shapes it. Just put your thumb on the back sensor to get Instant Nutritional Feedback that used to require lab tests.

• How do I know if I’m eating enough fruits and vegetables?

Use the Antioxidant Index ^[5] to see how your diet and lifestyle habits impact healthy ageing. Within just five seconds, it measures the carotenoids — natural antioxidants from fruits and veggies — stored in your skin and provides a score out of 100. It also offers tips to boost your score, like adding more colorful produce such as carrots, broccoli and oranges to your meals.

• How can I cut down on unhealthy habits?

First, we must learn more about how our bodies are affected by these unhealthy habits. Your Energy Score provides insights on how factors such as alcohol intake and late-night snacking affect your health, while Antioxidant Index directly shows the impact of these habits — motivating you to change your ways and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

• How can I easily track my water intake?

Proper hydration is essential for performing at your best, but it is often difficult to track. With Samsung Health, you can track your water intake with just a tap and set a daily hydration goal. Galaxy Watch8 will handle the rest by sending personalised reminders and monitoring trends, making it effortless to stay on top of your game.

The Galaxy Watch8 series turns biohacking from buzzword to habit — personal, actionable and effortless. Wear it, watch the insights roll in, and let better health become second nature.

[1]Samsung Health features are intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis, treatment of any medical condition or sleep disorder. The measurements are for your personal reference only. Please consult a medical professional for advice. Samsung account login required.

[2]Bedtime guidance is available on Android phone (Android 11 and above) requires Samsung Health app (v6.30.2 or later). It is based on 3 days of sleep analysis of user’s circadian rhythm and sleep pressure.

[3]Service only available with Galaxy Watch Ultra or later released Galaxy Watch Series. To use running coach program, user needs to take a running level test and get a level before starting the coach program. Compatible with smartphones running Android 11 or above with Google Mobile Services.

[4]Zone 2 refers to the second of the five heart rate zones, or 60% to 70% of your maximum heart rate.

[5]Requires a Galaxy smartphone running Android 11+ and Samsung Health App (V6. 30.2 or above). Samsung Account login required. Intended for fitness and wellness only. Does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.