Ruth Chepngetich Smashes Women’s Marathon World Record in Chicago

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich made history on Sunday at the Chicago Marathon by setting a new women’s marathon world record, completing the course in a groundbreaking time of 2:09:56. She became the first woman ever to break the 2:10 barrier, shattering the previous world record of 2:11:53 set by Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa in September 2023. This victory also marked Chepngetich’s third Chicago Marathon win.

The new record is pending the usual ratification by World Athletics, but Chepngetich expressed her excitement and pride, stating, “This is my dream… the world record has come back to Kenya.” She dedicated her win to her late compatriot Kelvin Kiptum, who set the men’s marathon world record in Chicago last year and passed away earlier this year.

Race Highlights

By the 10-kilometer mark, Chepngetich had already pulled away from the competition, with only Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede staying close for a while. However, Chepngetich widened the gap significantly, finishing nearly eight minutes ahead of Kebede, who came in second at 2:17:32. Kenya’s Irine Cheptai secured third place with a time of 2:17:52.

Chepngetich’s pace was so fast that only nine male runners in the men’s race finished with faster times than her.

Men’s Race

In the men’s competition, Kenya’s John Koriri took the victory with an impressive time of 2:02:43, the second-fastest ever recorded in Chicago, following Kiptum’s record of 2:00:35 from 2023. Ethiopia’s Huseydin Mohamed Esa placed second, finishing just over two minutes behind Koriri, and Kenya’s Amos Kipruto came in third with 2:04:50.

Wheelchair Division

In the wheelchair division, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug successfully defended his title in a dramatic sprint finish, completing the course in 1:25:54. His compatriot Catherine Debrunner set a new course record in the women’s race, finishing in 1:36:21.