Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich sets a new world record during the Chicago Marathon

On By Yukito

Ruth Chepngetich dropped almost two minutes ahead of the previous WR at the event.

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich shattered the Chicago Marathon world record* by almost two minutes, winning the World Athletics Platinum Label Road Race on Sunday (October 13) in 2:09:56.

Not only did Chepngetich break Tigist Assefa’s world record of 2:11:53 set last year in Berlin, but Chepngetich also recorded her third marathon victory in Chicago and shaved more than four minutes off her previous record of 2:14:18, set when winning here in 2022.

On a good day for Kenyan runners, John Korir won the men’s title in 2:02:43, the second-fastest time recorded in Chicago, just behind the world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum last year.

Chepngetich completed the first 5K in 15:00 and then reached the 10K in an astonishing 30:14. She continued her unrelenting pace and crossed the half-distance in an incredible time of 1:04:16, which is the fifth-fastest in history over the half marathon distance and gives her a chance to achieve a sub-2:09 mark.

Encouraged by memories of the 2022 race, when she was just 14 seconds shy of the world record, Chepngetich conquered the final stages and crossed the finish line in 2:09:57, becoming the first woman to break 2:10.

“I feel great. I’m very proud of myself. This is my dream. I fought a lot thinking about the world record. The world record is back in Kenya and I dedicate this record to Kelvin Kiptum.

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