Ruth Chepngetich smashes marathon world record by nearly two minutes in Chicago

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich smashed the women’s world record by nearly two minutes at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, winning in 2:09:56.

Chepngetich became the first woman to break 2 hours and 10 minutes in the marathon. The 30-year-old broke the previous record of 2:11:53, which was set by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.

Chepngetich has an impressive record at the Chicago Marathon: she also won the race in 2021 and 2022 and finished runner-up last year. Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia finished second on Sunday in 2:17:32.

“I feel so great. I’m proud of myself and I thank God for the victory and the world record,” Chepngetich told NBC Chicago after the race. “This is my dream that has come true. I fight a lot thinking about world record and I have fulfilled it and I’m much grateful.”

Chepngetich’s compatriot, John Korir, won the men’s race in 2:02:44, ahead of Huseydin Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia, who finished in 2:04:39. Korir and Chepngetich ran in honor of the late Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya, who broke the men’s world record at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

“The world record has come back to Kenya,” Chepngetich said. “I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum.”

In February the 24-year-old Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, died in a car accident. Police said Kiptum lost control of his vehicle before 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.