Chepngetich dedicates marathon world record to Kiptum

Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich put on a performance for the ages as she obliterated the women's marathon world record in Chicago on Oct 13, taking nearly two minutes off the previous best to win in an unofficial time of 2hr 9min 56sec.

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Chepngetich ditched the competition by the halfway mark and ran through a chorus of cheers through the final straight as she claimed her third title in Chicago and crushed Ethiopian Tigst Assefa's previous record of 2:11:53, set in Berlin in 2023.

Ethiopia's Sutume Kebede crossed the line in 2:17:32 for second place, while Kenyan Irine Cheptai (2:17:51) was third.

“This is my dream that has come true,” said the 30-year-old Chepngetich, whose time was originally recorded as 2:09:57 but was later adjusted.

Chepngetich set a blistering pace from the start, running the first 5km in 15min flat and by the halfway mark, she had built a 14sec cushion between herself and Kebede.