The marathon world record set by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa in Berlin a year ago is history. The Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich is pushing into new dimensions at the Chicago Marathon. She dedicates her success to the men’s record holder who died.
Shortly after the greatest moment of her career, Ruth Chepngetich’s thoughts were with a tragically deceased compatriot who had achieved the same thing a year earlier in the same place: a fabulous world record in the marathon. Chepngetich, wrapped in a Kenya flag, said in the finish area of the race in Chicago: “I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum.” The man who set the men’s marathon world record in 2023. Also in Chicago, 30-year-old Chepngetich entered a new dimension among women.
With her victory in 2:09:56 hours – the time was subsequently corrected by one second – she sensationally improved the impressive best time set by the Ethiopian Tigist Assefa in Berlin a little over a year ago by around two minutes. Assefa crossed the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate in September 2023 in a breathtaking 2:11:53 hours. A time that should have lasted for eternity in the much sought-after sport. After a year, this brand is history again.
“The world record was on my mind. I did it. I thank God,” Chepngetich said. “The weather was perfect. I was very well prepared.” Both world records were now run by Kenyans, said the new world record holder proudly. Kiptum died in a car accident in February. He was only 24 years old.
“That was my dream and it came true”
Like Kenyan Brigid Kosgei in her world record in 2019, Chepngetich also used the fast track in Chicago. The 30-year-old had already won the prestigious marathon in 2021 and 2022. Two years ago she missed the then world record of 2:14:18 by just 14 hundredths of a second. This time the athlete achieved her celebrated coup, supported by modern shoe technology and pacemakers. “I feel great. I am proud of myself,” said Chepngetich.
The time of under 2:10 hours for the Doha 2019 world champion was unimaginable for a long time. Chepngetich tackled the lucrative race in Chicago extremely quickly, initially even setting a course for an incredible 2:06 hours. But Chepngetich also wrote a new chapter in marathon history. “That was my dream and it came true,” she said. Sutume Kebede from Ethiopia and Irene Cheptai from Kenya only crossed the finish line around eight minutes after Chepngetich.
In the men’s race, Kenyan John Korir won the top-class race. A year after Kiptum’s world record, Korir crossed the finish line in 2:02:43 minutes. Kiptum’s world record is 2:00:35 hours.
The 27-year-old Korir increased the pace impressively in the second half of the race and left his competitors behind by starting at the right time. Second went to Huseydin Mohamed Esa from Ethiopia, who was almost two minutes slower. The World Cup bronze medalist from Doha, Amos Kipruto from Kenya, finished the competition in third place.
dpa/mel
