Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich Shatters Women’s Marathon Record with 2:09:56 Victory in Chicago
(CHICAGO)Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich delivered a record-breaking performance at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, shattering the women’s marathon world record with an unofficial time of 2:09:56—nearly two minutes faster than the previous best.
By the halfway mark, Chepngetich had distanced herself from the competition, finishing the race amid a chorus of cheers to claim her third Chicago title. She surpassed the former record of 2:11:53, set by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa last year in Berlin.
Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede finished second, crossing the line 7 minutes and 36 seconds after Chepngetich, while Kenyan Irine Cheptai took third place with a time of 2:17:51.
“This is my dream that has come true,” Chepngetich said, noting that her time was initially recorded as 2:09:57 before being adjusted.
On the men’s side, Chepngetich’s compatriot John Korir won with a personal best of 2:02:44.
Chepngetich set a blistering pace from the start, completing the first five kilometers in 15 minutes flat and establishing a 14-second lead over Kebede by the halfway point. Commentators marveled at her performance, likening her pursuit of a sub-2:10 marathon to the moon landing. She appeared to gain momentum as she sprinted through the final two miles.
After crossing the finish line, Chepngetich, the 2019 world champion, collapsed in exhaustion and dedicated her victory to her fellow Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum, who set the men’s world record in Chicago last year but tragically died in a car crash four months later.
“World record was in my mind,” she stated in a televised interview. “Chicago, as I said in the press, is like home.”
The race began with a moment of silence for Kiptum, who had run a remarkable 2:00:35 the previous year. The runners set off under ideal conditions in the Windy City.
In the men’s race, Korir kept pace with a large lead pack for the first 30 kilometers before making his move, pulling nearly 30 seconds ahead by the 35-kilometer mark. He finished confidently, arms outstretched, marking a personal best time in his first major title.
Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa finished second in 2:04:39, while Kenyan Amos Kipruto came in third at 2:04:50.
“Today I was thinking about Kiptum,” Korir remarked. “I had to believe in myself and try to do my best.”