Ruth Chepngetich broke the women’s marathon world record

Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) broke the women’s marathon world record by almost two minutes. She set the new world’s best during the Chicago Marathon, where she finished in an impressive tenth place. The 30-year-old Kenyan finished in 2:09:57 hours, becoming the first woman in history to run 42.195 km in under 2:10.

The already old world record belonged to Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia), who in September of this year was the first to go under 2:12 hours with a result of 2:11:53 hours.

Sutume Kebede (Ethiopia) finished second in the women’s category, finishing a full 7:36 minutes behind 2019 world champion Ruth Chepngetich. Third came another Kenyan – Irene Chepet Cheptai, who finished in 2:17:51 hours.

“This is my dream that has come true”, said Ruth Chepngetich. “The world record has come back to Kenya, and I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum,” Chepngetich said. “I’ve fought a lot, thinking about the world record, and I have fulfilled it”, added she.

Ruth Chepngetich is a Kenyan road runner. She is the 2019 world champion in the marathon, and is a three time winner of the Chicago Marathon, having won in 2021, 2022 and 2024.