Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya recently set a world record for women’s marathon time in Chicago, finishing with a performance record of 2:09:56. She makes history as the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier.
The athlete cut over two minutes off the previous world record of 2:11:53 set by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia last September 2023. According to World Athletics, her new world record is still pending due to the customary confirmation process.
On her victory, Chepngetich stated: “I feel so great. I’m very proud of myself. This is my dream… I fought a lot, thinking about the world record. The world record has come back to Kenya, and I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum.” He is her compatriot who set the men’s world record in Chicago last year, but unfortunately died in a road accident last February.
Her prior best record was 14 seconds short of the world record in Chicago last 2022, but this year, she erased any recollection of that letdown with a world record time so fast that only nine competitors in the men’s race could beat it.
Highlights of the race
Ethiopia’s Autumn Asefa Kebede was the only one who managed to stay within the distance of Chepngetich by the 10-kilometre mark. By that time, Chepngetich outpaced her other rivals.
Kebede placed second with a performance record of 2:12:32, eight minutes behind Chepngetich. Irine Cheptai of Kenta took third place, 20 seconds behind.
Source: CNN