Ruth Chepngetich: New Women’s Marathon World Record

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich delivered a breathtaking performance in Chicago on Sunday, smashing the women’s marathon world record with a time of 2:09:56, nearly two minutes faster than the previous best. Her incredible feat marked her third Chicago Marathon victory and shattered the record set by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa (2:11:53) just last year in Berlin.

Chepngetich pulled ahead early, leaving her competition far behind by the halfway point. She crossed the finish line to deafening cheers, showcasing her dominance as she rewrote marathon history. Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede finished in second place, trailing by a staggering 7 minutes and 36 seconds, with Kenya’s Irine Cheptai securing third at 2:17:51.

«This is my dream come true,» Chepngetich said after the race. While her time was initially recorded as 2:09:57, it was later officially adjusted by a second.

Her compatriot, John Korir, took home the men’s title, crossing the finish in 2:02:44.

Chepngetich set a blistering pace right from the start, clocking the first five kilometers in 15 minutes flat. By the halfway mark, she had already built a 14-second lead over Kebede, leaving commentators astonished. They likened her sub-2:10 marathon attempt to the moon landing, as she seemed to gather even more strength in the final two miles, sprinting to the finish.

A former world champion from 2019, Chepngetich collapsed in exhaustion after breaking the tape, dedicating her record-breaking performance to fellow Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum. Kiptum had set the men’s marathon world record in Chicago last year but tragically died in a car accident four months later.

Ruth Chepngetich. Photo by Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images.

«World record was on my mind,» she said in post-race comments. «Chicago, as I said in the press, feels like home.»

The day began with a moment of silence in Kiptum’s honor. Last year, he completed the marathon in 2:00:35, and his memory clearly inspired many of Sunday’s runners.

On the men’s side, Korir ran a smart race, staying with the lead pack for the first 30 kilometers before making his move. By the 35-kilometer mark, he was nearly 30 seconds ahead of the competition. He maintained that momentum and finished strong, with his arms outstretched as he claimed his first major title with a personal best time.

Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa finished second in 2:04:39, while Kenya’s Amos Kipruto took third in 2:04:50.

«I was thinking about Kiptum today,» Korir said. «I had to believe in myself and give it everything.»