Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich obliterated the women’s marathon world record in Chicago on Sunday, lopping nearly two minutes off the previous best to win in an unofficial time of two hours, nine minutes and 57 seconds.
Chepngetich got off to a blazing start and left the rest of the competition behind her by the halfway mark and went on to claim her third title in Chicago and break Ethiopian Tigst Assefa’s previous record of 2:11:53, set last year in Berlin.
An emotional Chepngetich dedicated her world record to the late Kelvin Kiptum, who broke the men’s marathon world record in Chicago 12 months ago.
Kiptum was just 24 years old when he was killed in a road accident in Kenya earlier this year.
“This world record I’m dedicating to Kelvin Kiptum,” Chepngetich said moments after crossing the finish line. “I’m so happy. I don’t know how to explain.”
Chepngetich, who won the Chicago Marathon for the third time after previous victories in 2021 and 2022, was stunned after crossing the finish line.
“I feel so great,” she said. “The world record is my dream, that has now come true. I fought a lot thinking about the world record and now I’ve fulfilled it. I’m so grateful.
“This year the weather was perfect and I prepared well. The world record was on my mind.”
The 2:10:00 barrier was long considered unbreakable for a woman, and was compared to the 2:00:00 mark for elite men’s marathon runners.
Chepngetich had previously ranked fourth on the all-time list but chalked almost five minutes off her personal best – set in Chicago two years ago.
Her victory completed a Kenyan double in the Windy City, as John Korir won the men’s race. Korir’s victory in 2:02:43 was the second fastest in Chicago history, after Kiptum’s record.
