Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Kenya’s athlete Ruth Chepngetich breaks world's record in Women’s Marathon

POSTED ON October 14, 2024 •   SPORTS      BY Benedicta Bassey
Kenyan athlete Ruth Chepngetich/ Photo credit: CBC

Kenyan athlete Ruth Chepngetich has set a new record in the women’s marathon in Chicago on Sunday as she showcased a breath breaking performance, shattering the women’s marathon world record in Chicago by nearly two minutes, winning in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds.

The 30-year-old became the first woman to win the Chicago marathon three times, breaking the previous world record of 2:11:53, set by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa last year in Berlin.

Chepngetich pulled ahead of the competition by the halfway point, running through the final stretch as she claimed her third Chicago title.

Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede finished seven minutes and 36 seconds behind, while Kenyan Irine Cheptai (2:17:51) came third.

Expressing joy over the outstanding performance, Chepngetich said, “This is my dream that has come true.

“The world record has come back to Kenya, and I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum,” Chepngetich said. “I’ve fought a lot, thinking about the world record, and I have fulfilled it," she added.

Runners observed a moment of silence at the start to honour Kiptum. Organisers also distributed stickers displaying Kiptum’s record-breaking time of 2:00:35 for the 50,000 participants to place on their race bibs.

Without Olympic champion Sifan Hassan, the 2023 Chicago winner, Chepngetich set a blistering early pace, reaching the halfway point in 1:04:16, the fifth-fastest time in history for a women’s half marathon.

“The weather was perfect, and I was well-prepared. The world record was in my mind,” said Chepngetich, who was the runner-up to Hassan last year.

She completed the first 5km (3.1 miles) in 15 minutes flat, and by the halfway mark, she had a 14-second lead over Kebede.

Television commentators marveled at her effort, comparing her attempt at a sub-2:10 marathon to the moon landing, and she only seemed to grow stronger in the final 2 miles (3.2km).

Chepngetich, the 2019 world champion, collapsed in exhaustion after crossing the finish line but later said, “Chicago is like home.”

On the men’s side, Kenya’s John Korir claimed victory with a time of 2:02:44. The 27-year-old finished ahead of Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa (2:04:39) and fellow Kenyan Amos Kipruto (2:04:50).

Korir was part of a seven-man group leading the pack at the 30km (18.6 miles) mark before he accelerated, leaving his rivals behind after a steady start. Four of the top five men were Kenyans, with Vincent Ngetich and Daniel Ebenyo also finishing in the top positions.

“It was really nice to run my PB and win in Chicago,” Korir said, noting that he too drew inspiration from Kiptum.

“Today I was thinking about Kiptum and I said, ‘Last year if he could run under 2:01, why not me?’ So, I had to believe in myself and try to do my best.”

Korir’s time was the second-fastest ever in Chicago.

The 27-year-old Korir finished ahead of Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa (2:04:39) and another Kenyan, Amos Kipruto (2:04:50).

Korir was part of a seven-man group at the head of the course 30km (18.6 miles) before he hit the accelerator and shed his rivals following a relatively conservative start.

Four of the top five were Kenyans, with Vincent Ngetich and Daniel Ebenyo finishing off the podium.

“It was really nice to run my PB and win in Chicago,” Korir said, adding that he too used the memory of Kiptum as a source of motivation.

“Today I was thinking about Kiptum and I said, ‘Last year if he could run under 2:01, why not me?’ So I had to believe in myself and try to do my best.”

READ ALSO
Ex-D’Tigers coach Brown sets goals for new job
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 9, 2025 0

The former head coach of the Nigerian men's national basketball team, D'Tigers,Mike Brown,has s...

READ ALSO
Real Madrid Edges Borussia Dortmund 3–2 in Thrilling FIFA Club World Cup Clash
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

Real Madrid emerged victorious from a heart-stopping 3–2 thriller against Borussia Dortmund in...

READ ALSO
PSG Triumphs over Bayern Munich 2-0, Advances to FIFA Club World Cup Semifinals
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the European club football champion, has defeated Germany's Bayern Munich...

READ ALSO
FG Delivers on Housing Promise to 1994 Super Eagles
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 25, 2025 0

The Federal Government has at last honored its long-standing commitment to provide housing allocatio...

READ ALSO
Chelsea Advances to Last 16 of Club World Cup with 3-0 Win Over Esperance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 25, 2025 0

Liam Delap netted his first goal for Chelsea during a 3-0 victory over Tunisian champions Esperance...

READ ALSO
Osimhen Willing to Join Manchester United for Under £200,000 a Week
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Victor Osimhen is reportedly willing to accept a weekly wage of just under £200,000 at Manches...

READ ALSO
Mertens Announces Retirement from Football, Cites Age and Fatigue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Belgian football star Dries Mertens has officially announced his retirement from professional footba...

READ ALSO
AFN Will Not Block Favour Ofili’s Switch to Turkey – Okowa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has stated that the federatio...

OUR CHANNELS:

Reinventing Nigeria’s Fiscal Framework: A Call for Unity and Responsibility
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 9, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has emphasized his government's dedication to allocating sufficient resources...


CBN Mandates Capital Restoration Plans for Banks: A Step Towards Regulatory Compliance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

The Central Bank of Nigeria has instructed banks to provide a capital restoration plan as part of it...


Nigeria Faces Teacher Shortage: Over 31 Million Learners Rely on Just 915,913 Educators
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 9, 2025 0

According to data from the Universal Basic Education, only 915,913 teachers are available for at lea...


Tinubu Calls for Equitable Global Framework at BRICS Summit
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has advocated for a more equitable global framework regarding climate action,...


Two Men Charged in CBEX Investment Scheme Remain in Custody
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

A Federal High Court in Abuja has placed two businessmen, Aweruso Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim, in...


LASG Takes Action, Dismantled  Illegal Checkpoints Along Badagry Expressway
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State government has dismantled illegal checkpoints along the Lagos&ndash...


Natasha's Return Plans on Hold as Senate Awaits Court Judgment Copy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

The suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has declared her intention...


Nigerian States Accumulate N417.7 Billion in Domestic Debt Amid Rising FAAC Revenue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

At least 10 Nigerian states have cumulatively increased their domestic debt by N417.7 billion from t...


Governor Otti Facilitates Release of Inmates After 26 Years
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 9, 2025 0

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Saturday welcomed three Nigerians who were released after spendi...


Tinubu Pledges to Eliminate Bureaucratic Hurdles in Agriculture During Bilateral Talks with Brazil
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 9, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu expressed his commitment on Saturday to his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu