Ruth Chepngetich, a 30-year-old marathoner from Kenya, smashed the women's world record by nearly two minutes at the Chicago Marathon on October 13. She also made history as the first woman to break 2 hours and 10 minutes in the marathon as she clocked 2:09:56. She bettered the previous record of 2:11:53, which was set by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. Chepngetich has won the annual Chicago Marathon in 2021 and 2022 and finished second in 2023.
Ruth Chepngetich Makes History
Chepngetich displayed a consistently stunning performance at the Chicago Marathon, completing the first five kilometres in just 15 minutes, and completing the first half of the course in 1:04:16, which is reportedly the fifth-fastest women’s half-marathon of all time. She averaged 4:57.4 per mile throughout the race.
Chepngetich was overwhelmed with joy after the milestone. Speaking to NBC Chicago, the athlete remarked, "I feel so great. I’m proud of myself and I thank God for the victory and the world record. This is my dream that has come true. I fight a lot thinking about world record and I have fulfilled it and I’m much grateful.”
Chepngetich has won $100,000 for winning the race and $50,000 more for breaking the world record. Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia finished second, clocking in 2:17:32. Meanwhile, in the men's race, John Korir, won as he clocked 2:02:44 ahead of Huseydin Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia who clocked 2:04:39.
The winners ran in honour of fellow Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a car accident in February. He had broken the men’s world record at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. This year's marathon started with a moment of silence for Kiptum while each participant wore a memorial sticker on their bibs.
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