Ruth Chepngetich Shatters World Record at Chicago Marathon, Becomes First Woman to Finish Under 2:10
October 12, 2024Assefa had set the record during the 2023 Berlin Marathon, completing the race in 2:11:53.
In the men's race, John Korir secured victory with a strong performance, particularly in the second half, finishing ahead of Ethiopian runner Huseydin Mohamed Esa.
Ruth Chepngetich made history at the Chicago Marathon by setting a new world record with a time of 2:09:57, breaking the previous record by nearly two minutes.
This remarkable achievement makes Chepngetich the first woman to finish a marathon in under 2:10, surpassing the previous record set by Tigist Assefa.
Korir's decisive acceleration in the latter part of the race left competitors behind, showcasing his strategic racing skills.
The Chicago Marathon attracted nearly 28,000 participants from 120 nations, with 6,250 athletes completing the full 42.195 kilometers.
The course is renowned for its speed, having witnessed four of the five fastest women's marathon times in the last six years.
Chepngetich's performance was aided by advancements in running shoe technology, particularly the Nike Alphafly 3, which has been pivotal in recent marathon racing.
Despite the impressive performances, the race experienced poor weather conditions in the second half, which impacted the expected finishing times.
Ethiopian Sutume Kebede finished second in the women's elite race with a time of 2:17:32, while Kenyan Irine Cheptai took third, finishing 20 seconds behind Kebede.
In the wheelchair division, Swiss athlete Marcel Hug won with a time of 1:25:54, adding to the event's competitive spirit.
Looking ahead, the next major marathon event is the New York City Marathon, scheduled for November 3, where more records may be challenged.
Summary based on 32 sources
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Sources
The Guardian • Oct 13, 2024
Ruth Chepngetich smashes marathon world record by nearly two minutes in ChicagoBBC Sport • Oct 14, 2024
Ruth Chepngetich's marathon world record - stats and shoes behind Chicago timeBBC Sport • Oct 13, 2024
Ruth Chepngetich: Kenyan breaks marathon world record in ChicagoTime • Oct 13, 2024
Ruth Chepngetich Breaks World Record at Chicago Marathon