Ruth Chepngetich with the Kenyan flag. © APA / MICHAEL REAVES

Kenyan Chepngetich runs new fabulous world record

Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich set a sensational marathon world record on Sunday, breaking the sound barrier of 2:10 hours.

13 October 2024

From: dpa

In her victory in Chicago in 2:09:56 hours, the 30-year-old Kenyan remained about two minutes under the best time set by Ethiopian Tigist Assefa (2023:2:11) in Berlin in 53.

"It 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 in her world record in 2019, she also took advantage of the fast course in Chicago. Two years ago, she missed the then world record in 2:14:18 by just 14 hundredths of a second.

Ruth Chepngetich with her diploma. © APA / MICHAEL REAVES

This time, the athlete managed to pull off the celebrated coup with the help of modern shoe technology and pacemakers. This means that the new women's world record is below the Austrian men's record of Peter Herzog, who ran 2020:2:10 in London in 06.

Korir wins in the men's category

In the men's race in Chicago, Kenyan John Korir won the high-class race. One year after the world record set by Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a car accident in February, Korir crossed the finish line after 2:02:43 hours. Kiptum's world record is 2:00:35 hours. Wrapped in a Kenyan flag, Chepngetich remembered her deceased compatriot after her fabulous run. "I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum," said the 2019 world champion.