By Razeen Gutta
Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich smashed the women’s world record at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, winning in 2:09:56.
The 30-year-old broke Tigist Assefa’s previous record of 2:11:53 set at last year’s Berlin Marathon, and she has now become the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier.
Chepngetich ran the first five kilometres of the race in just 15 minutes before completing the first half of the marathon in 1:04:16.
After winning the race in 2021 and 2022 and finishing as runner-up last year, it was clear from the onset that this would be a special marathon for road runners.
“I feel so great. I’m proud of myself and thank God for the victory and the world record,” Chepngetich told NBC Chicago after the race.
“This is my dream that has come true. I fight a lot thinking about the world record, and I have fulfilled it and I’m grateful.”
Chepngetich dedicated her win to fellow Kenyan and world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically passed away in a car accident earlier this year.
“The world record has come back to Kenya. I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum,” she added.
Chepngetich earned herself $100,000 (about R1.76-million) for the race win and an additional $50,000 (about R878,000) for breaking the course record.
Pictured above: Ruth Chepngetich.
Source: @rigathi
