Chicago Marathon 2024: Ruth Chepngetich shatters world record to reclaim crown, John Korir completes Kenya double
Published 13/10/2024 at 17:42 GMT+1
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Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich delivered a historic run to claim her third Chicago Marathon title as she obliterated the previous world record by nearly two minutes. The 30-year-old stormed to an impressive win, where she became the first woman to break the 2:10 and 2:11 barriers. She ranked 11th overall, as fellow Kenyan John Korir made it a double for the African country in the men's race.
'Amazing performance' - Chepngetich smashes women's world record at Chicago Marathon
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ruth Chepngetich stormed to a historic victory as she smashed the women’s world record to win the Chicago Marathon, claiming her third title in Illinois.
The Kenyan clocked 2:09:56 on Sunday to become the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier.
Chepngetich’s rapid run was almost two minutes faster than the previous world record, which was set by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who recorded 2:11:53 in Berlin last year.
The 30-year-old revelled in her victory after the race, where she finished over seven minutes ahead of second-place Ethiopian Sutume Kebede in a dominant showing.
“I feel so great,” Chepngetich said. “The world record is my dream, that has now come true. I fought a lot, thinking about the world record, and now I’ve fulfilled it. I’m so grateful.
“This year, the weather was perfect and I prepared well. The world record was on my mind.”
Such was her incredible run, Chepngetich's time would have placed her 11th in the men's race.
The late Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a car crash in February aged 24, made history as he broke the men’s marathon world record in Chicago last year.
Chepngetich paid an emotional tribute to her fellow Kenyan following her victory.
"This world record I'm dedicating to Kelvin Kiptum because maybe he could have defended his title and again [achieved] a world record," she said.
"This world record has come back to Kenya. I'm so happy, I don't know how to explain."
Following Chepngetich and runner-up Kebede, Kenya’s Irine Cheptai finished third in a time of 2:17:51.
Kenya claim Chicago double as Korir wins men’s race
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Korir wins men's Chicago Marathon with 'massive lifetime best'
Video credit: TNT Sports
In the men’s race, 27-year-old John Korir breezed to victory with the second-fastest time of the year to claim his maiden title in Chicago.
The Kenyan rose from seventh place at the halfway mark to cross the line in 2:02:44, beating Ethiopia's Huseydin Mohamed Esa by nearly two minutes.
"It was very good, fast," said Korir after the race. "Today was really nice to run 2:02, my PB, here in Chicago.
“Coming here, we were going for the win, not the time."
Esa finished second in 2:04:39, 11 seconds ahead of Amos Kipruto in third.
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