Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich delivered a performance for the ages at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, smashing the women's marathon world record with an unofficial time of two hours, nine minutes, and 56 seconds.
From the starting gun, Chepngetich set a blistering pace, completing the first five kilometers in just 15 minutes. By the halfway mark, she had built a significant lead, leaving her competition far behind. Running through the streets of Chicago, she was greeted by cheering crowds as she claimed her third title in the city.
Her remarkable time obliterated the previous world record of 2:11:53 set by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa last year in Berlin. Ethiopia's Sutume Kebede finished second, crossing the line seven minutes and 36 seconds later, while Kenyan Irine Cheptai secured third place with a time of 2:17:51.
\"This is my dream that has come true,\" Chepngetich said after the race, her joy evident as she celebrated her historic achievement. Her compatriot John Korir won the men's race with a time of 2:02:44.
Chepngetich's record-breaking run not only cements her place among the all-time greats of marathon running but also serves as an inspiration to athletes worldwide. Her dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence exemplify the spirit of competition and the heights that can be achieved through determination and hard work.
Reference(s):
Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya smashes women's marathon world record
cgtn.com
