On Sunday, October 13, 2024, Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich made history by smashing the women’s marathon world record at the Chicago Marathon, crossing the finish line in an astonishing time of 2:09:57—nearly two minutes faster than the previous record. This remarkable achievement cements Chepngetich’s status as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time. A remarkable 1:04:16 split at the halfway point, which according to World Athletics is now the fifth-fastest half-marathon time in history, served as a highlight of her performance.
Dedication to Kelvin Kiptum
After her record-breaking run, Chepngetich dedicated her victory and world record to fellow Kenyan marathoner Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically died in a car accident earlier this year. Kiptum had set the men’s marathon world record in Chicago in 2023.
Reflecting on her achievement, Chepngetich said, “I feel great. I’m very proud of myself. This is my dream. I fought a lot, thinking about the world record. The world record has come back to Kenya.”
Chepngetich’s run broke the previous world record of 2:11:53, set by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. At 30 years old, Chepngetich was already a dominant force in marathon running, having won gold at the 2019 World Championships in the women’s marathon and entering this year’s Chicago Marathon with a personal best of 2:14:18, set in 2022. Her half marathon record of 1:04:02, achieved in 2021, remains among the fastest ever recorded.
This victory in Chicago marked Chepngetich’s third win at the event, having previously triumphed in 2021 and 2022. In addition to her success in Chicago, she also earned a bronze medal at the 2020 London Marathon.
In this year’s race, Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede finished second, clocking a time of 2:17:32, while Kenya’s Irine Cheptai claimed third place.
Chepngetich’s achievement is not just a personal triumph but a historic moment for Kenyan athletics, further solidifying the nation’s reputation as a global powerhouse in long-distance running.
