NAIROBI, Kenya, October 13 – Kenya’s Ruth Chepng’etich wrote her name into history books with a world record of 2:09:56 to win the Chicago Marathon on Sunday morning.
The 2019 World marathon champion crossed the finish line ahead of Ethiopian Sutume Kebede who clocked 2:17:32 as another Kenyan, Irine Cheptai came third in 2:17:51.
In smashing the women’s world record, Chepng’etich followed in the footsteps of her countryman, Kelvin Kiptum, who clocked 2:00:35 at the same event, last year.
The three-time Chicago Marathon also smashed the previous women’s world record by Ethiopian Tigist Asefa, who timed 2:11:53 in last year’s Berlin Marathon.
This makes her the first ever female athlete to run a sub-2:10 in the 42km.
It was a perfect way for Chepng’etich to bounce back after her last marathon in London where she clocked 2:24:36 to finish a disappointing ninth in April this year.
Earlier, another Kenyan, John Korir, clocked 2:02:43 to claim his first-ever major marathon title in the men’s race.
Ethiopian Mohammed Huseydin came second in 2:04:39 whereas Kenya’s Amos Kipruto claimed third in 2:04:50, in what was a tightly contested race.
It was perfect redemption for the 2022 Los Angeles Marathon champion who last year narrowly missed out on podium in Chicago, clocking 2:05:09 in fourth.
He also finished fourth in April’s Boston Marathon, clocking 2:07:40.
Sunday’s race was a poignant one, marked by a minute’s silence for Kiptum, who lost his life in a car crash in Kaptagat in February this year.