(Reuters) – Ruth Chepngetich from Kenya delivered an exceptional performance by shattering the women’s marathon world record during the Chicago Marathon on Sunday. She finished with an unofficial time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds, cutting almost two minutes off the previous record.
Chepngetich surged ahead by the halfway point, greeted by cheers as she powered through the final stretch, securing her third Chicago title and demolishing the former record of 2:11:53, held by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa and set last year in Berlin.
Crossing the finish line a full seven minutes and 36 seconds after Chepngetich was Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede, followed by Kenyan Irine Cheptai with a time of 2:17:51.
“This is a dream that has come true,” Chepngetich expressed, noting that her time was initially recorded as 2:09:57 before being corrected.
On the men’s side, compatriot John Korir took home the victory, finishing in 2:02:44.
Chepngetich set a scorching pace from the start, clocking the first five kilometers in a mere 15 minutes, and by the halfway mark, she had gained a 14-second lead over Kebede.
Commentators were amazed by her performance as she stormed through the course, likening her attempt at a sub-2:10 marathon to a lunar mission, and she appeared to accelerate over the last two miles.
After crossing the finish line, Chepngetich was visibly exhausted, dedicating her remarkable achievement to Kelvin Kiptum, her fellow Kenyan who had set the men’s world record in Chicago a year ago before tragically passing away in a car accident four months later.
“Breaking the world record was always in my mind,” she shared in a televised interview. “Chicago feels like home to me.”
The event began with a tribute for Kiptum at the starting line, who had achieved a remarkable 2:00:35 last year, before the runners embarked on the race in pristine conditions.
Korir remained with a packed group of leading men until the 30-kilometer mark, then made his move, creating a gap of nearly 30 seconds over the field by the 35-kilometer point.
He cruised through the final kilometers, arms wide open as he completed his exceptional performance with a personal best, claiming his first major title.
Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa finished second in 2:04:39, while Kenyan Amos Kipruto claimed third place in 2:04:50.
“Today, I was thinking about Kiptum,” Korir said. “I had to trust myself and do my best.”
