Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya celebrates after setting a new world record at during the Chicago Marathon at Grant Park, on Oct.13.Patrick Gorski/Reuters
Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya smashed the world record by nearly two minutes at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, winning in 2 hours 9 minutes 56 seconds.
The 30-year-old Chepngetich eclipsed the world record set by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia in 2:11:53 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia finished second in 2:17:32.
Television commentators were astonished as she grinded through the course, comparing her attempt at a sub-2:10 marathon with the moon landing, and she only seemed to gain momentum as she sprinted through the final two miles.
Chepngetich, the 2019 world champion, hunched over in utter exhaustion after breaking the tape and dedicated her performance to compatriot Kelvin Kiptum, who broke the men’s world record a year ago in Chicago and died in a car crash four months later.
“I feel so great. I’m very proud of myself,” Chepngetich said. “This is my dream. I fought a lot, thinking about the world record. Chicago, as I said in the press, is like home.”
Chepngetich became the first woman to break 2:10 in the marathon. She also won the Chicago Marathon in 2021 and 2022 and finished runner-up last year.
John Korir of Kenya won the men’s race in 2:02:44, besting Huseydin Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia, who finished in 2:04:39.
Korir and Chepngetich ran in honour of the late Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya, who eclipsed the world record by 34 seconds, finishing in 2:00:35, at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
“The world record has come back to Kenya,” Chepngetich said. “I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum.”
Korir stuck with a crowded men’s lead pack through the first 30 kilometres before making his move and was nearly 30 seconds clear of the rest of the field by the 35-kilometre mark of the 42.2-kilometre race.
He glided through the final kilometres, holding his arms out wide as he finished his textbook performance in a personal-best time for his first major title.
Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa was second in 2:04:39 while Kenyan Amos Kipruto (2:04:50) finished third.
“Today I was thinking about Kiptum,” Korir said. “I had to believe in myself and try to do my best.”
Police said the 24-year-old Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, died in a car accident in February after hitting a tree near a training area in Kaptagat, Kenya.
Organizers held a moment of silence for Kiptum before the race and offered the nearly 50,000 runners a memorial sticker to add to their bibs.