By around two minutes

Crazy! Chepngetich pulverizes marathon world record

Ruth Chepngetich(Bild: AFP / SID)

What a fabulous performance: Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich set a sensational world record in the marathon on Sunday, breaking the 2:10 hour barrier in the process!

With her victory in 2:09:56 hours in Chicago, the 30-year-old Kenyan remained around two minutes under the best time set in Berlin in 2023 by Ethiopian Tigist Assefa (2:11:53).

"I am very grateful!"
"That was my dream and it has come true. I am very grateful," said Chepngetich after her third victory in the US city after 2021 and 2022.

As with her compatriot Brigid Kosgei's world record in 2019, the fast track in Chicago also "helped" a little. Two years ago, she missed the then world record in 2:14:18 by just 14 hundredths of a second.

Women's world best below Austrian men's record
This time the track and field athlete - supported by modern shoe technology and pacemakers - pulled off the celebrated coup. The new women's world best is now lower than the Austrian men's record set by Peter Herzog, who ran 2:10:06 in London in 2020.

Kenyan John Korir won the top-class men's race in Chicago. One year after the world record set by Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a car accident in February, Korir crossed the finish line in 2:02:43. Kiptum's world record stands at 2:00:35 hours.

Wrapped in a Kenyan flag, Chepngetich commemorated her deceased compatriot after her flag race. "I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum," said the 2019 world champion.