Ruth Chepngetich Shatters Women’s Marathon World Record at 2024 Chicago Marathon
Kenyan marathoner Ruth Chepngetich made headlines on October 13, 2024, by breaking the women’s world record at the Chicago Marathon with an astonishing time of 2:09:56. This remarkable achievement not only secured her victory but also represented a significant milestone as she improved upon the previous record by nearly two minutes, which was set by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa in 2023.
Crossing the finish line at Grant Park, Chepngetich’s triumph marks her third consecutive win at the Chicago Marathon, making her the first woman ever to achieve this feat. The 30-year-old athlete displayed remarkable endurance and speed, leading the race from the halfway point, where she reached 1:04:16—an impressive pace that ranks among the fastest half-marathon times in history.
In a poignant moment, Chepngetich dedicated her world record to her late compatriot Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically passed away in a car accident earlier this year. Kiptum had previously set the men’s world record at the Chicago Marathon in 2023, running a blistering time of 2:00:35. “The world record has come back to Kenya, and I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum,” Chepngetich stated, highlighting her emotional connection to her victory.
The race also served as a tribute to Kiptum, with runners observing a moment of silence at the start line. Additionally, participants wore stickers displaying Kiptum’s record-breaking time on their bibs as a tribute to his legacy.
On the men’s side, fellow Kenyan John Korir claimed victory, finishing in 2:02:44, the second-fastest time ever recorded at the Chicago Marathon. Korir, inspired by Kiptum’s memory, pushed through a conservative start to outpace his competitors in the final stretch, leading a strong showing for Kenyan athletes, who took four of the top five positions in the race.
Both Chepngetich and Korir’s performances underscored Kenya’s dominance in long-distance running and left an indelible mark on the 2024 Chicago Marathon.
Source: Aljazeera
