The Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich set a sensational world record in the marathon on Sunday, breaking the barrier of 2:10 hours. When she won in 2:09:56 hours in Chicago, the 30-year-old Kenyan was around two minutes below the best time set by Ethiopian Tigist Assefa (2:11:53) set in Berlin in 2023.
“That was my dream and it came true. I am very grateful,” said Chepngetich after her third victory in the US city after 2021 and 2022. Like her compatriot Brigid Kosgei with her world record in 2019, she also used the fast one Route in Chicago. Two years ago she missed the then world record of 2:14:18 by just 14 hundredths of a second.
This time the athlete achieved her celebrated coup, supported by modern shoe technology and pacemakers. This means that the new women’s world record is below the Austrian men’s record set by Peter Herzog, who ran 2:10:06 in London in 2020.
In the men’s race, Kenyan John Korir won the top-class race in Chicago. A year after the world record was set by Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a car accident in February, Korir crossed the finish line in 2:02:43 hours. Kiptum’s world record is 2:00:35 hours. Wrapped in a Kenya flag, Chepngetich remembered her late compatriot after her fabulous run. “I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum,” said the 2019 world champion.
