Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich Sets New Women’s Marathon World Record in Chicago

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

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

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

“This is my dream that has come true,” Chepngetich said.

Having previously won in Chicago in 2021 and 2022, Chepngetich dedicated her victory to Kelvin Kiptum, who set the men’s world record at last year’s race before tragically dying in a car accident at 24.

“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.”

Runners observed a moment of silence at the start to honor 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.”

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

Faridah Abdulkadiri

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