Who is Ruth Chepngetich? The athlete who made history at the Chicago marathon by breaking the women's world record

Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich made history on Sunday by shattering the women's marathon world record during the 2024 Chicago Marathon. She finished with an official time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds, making her the first woman to run under 2:10 in marathon history. Chepngetich's remarkable performance eclipsed the previous record of 2:11:53 set by Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa at the Berlin Marathon last year.

A Record-Breaking Performance

Chepngetich showcased her incredible athleticism by taking control of the race early. By the halfway point, she had built a 14-second lead over her closest competitor, Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia, and never looked back. As she ran through the final stretch, Chepngetich was met with cheers from the crowd, celebrating her impressive run. She ultimately finished 7 minutes and 36 seconds ahead of Kebede, who crossed the line in 2:17:32, while Kenyan Irine Cheptai secured third place with a time of 2:17:51.

Television commentators expressed awe at Chepngetich's performance, comparing her attempt to break the two-hour-and-ten-minute barrier to monumental achievements like the moon landing. Chepngetich set a blistering pace from the start, completing the first five kilometers in just 15 minutes. As she sprinted through the last two miles, she seemed to gain even more momentum, solidifying her status as one of the greatest marathoners of all time.


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Fulfilling a Dream

"This is my dream that has come true," Chepngetich stated in a post-race interview on NBC Chicago. Her initial time was recorded as 2:09:57 but was later adjusted to 2:09:56. Chepngetich, a 2019 world champion, dedicated her record-breaking performance to her late friend Kelvin Kiptum, who set the men's world record in Chicago last year and tragically passed away in a car crash four months later. "World record was in my mind," Chepngetich added. "Chicago, as I said in the press, is like home."

The Chicago Marathon's Legacy

The Chicago Marathon has gained a reputation for being a fast course conducive to record-breaking performances. In fact, four of the five fastest women’s marathon times have been achieved on this flat course in the past six years. Before Chepngetich's historic run, the women's marathon world record stood at 2:15:25, established before the 2019 Chicago Marathon.

This year, in the men's race, John Korir also celebrated a significant victory. Korir won with a time of 2:02:43, marking his first World Marathon Major title. This victory comes after Korir finished third in Chicago in 2022 and fourth in both the 2023 Chicago and the 2024 Boston Marathon. John Korir is the younger brother of Wesley Korir, who won the Boston Marathon in 2012.

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The Chicago Marathon continues to be a prominent event in the running calendar, with the next major marathon set for November 3 in New York City. Chepngetich's historic performance is sure to inspire future athletes and contribute to the ongoing legacy of the Chicago Marathon as a breeding ground for record-breaking talents.

Ruth Chepngetich's extraordinary achievement at the 2024 Chicago Marathon not only cements her place in marathon history but also highlights the ever-growing significance of Kenyan athletes in the world of long-distance running. Her dedication to her late friend Kelvin Kiptum adds a poignant note to her victory, inspiring both current and future generations in the athletic community.

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