Female runner makes history as she becomes first to EVER break marathon mark and shatters world record by 100 seconds
RUTH CHEPNGETICH has set a new women’s marathon world record.
The Kenyan, 30, ran an astonishing 2:09:57 at the Chicago Marathon earlier today.
In doing so, she became the first woman to break the 2:10:00 barrier.
In fact, she smashed the previous record by nearly two minutes.
The last world record had been set by Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia in Berlin 13 months ago.
After the race, Chepngetich dedicated her incredible achievement to the late Kelvin Kiptum.
London Marathon winner and world record holder Kiptum tragically died aged just 24 in a car crash earlier this year.
His coach Garvais Hakizimana was also killed in the tragic crash.
After today’s Chicago Marathon, Chepngetich said: “This world record I’m dedicating to Kelvin Kiptum.
“I’m so happy. I don’t know how to explain.”
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She then admitted that she had felt before the race that she could set a new world record.
Chepngetich added: “I feel so great. The world record is my dream, that has now come true.
“I fought a lot thinking about the world record and now I’ve fulfilled it. I’m so grateful.
“This year the weather was perfect and I prepared well. The world record was on my mind.”
Her previous personal best was also set in Chicago back in 2022.
This time around, however, she shaved nearly five minutes off her former PB.
Chepngetich placed tenth overall in the Chicago Marathon.
She was one of two Kenyans to triumph in Chicago today, with John Korir setting a personal best 2:02:44 to win the men’s race.