The Chicago Marathon, it seems, has become Ruth Chepngetich’s personal playground. On Sunday, she didn’t just break the women’s marathon world record; she obliterated it, setting an astonishing new benchmark of 2:09:56. The 30-year-old Kenyan is now the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier, eclipsing Tigst Assefa’s previous mark of 2:11:53 from Berlin by nearly two minutes. It’s a time that makes even the most seasoned observer stop and recalibrate their expectations of what’s possible in the women’s marathon.
Ruth Chepngetich, you are the Women’s World Record Holder! pic.twitter.com/bkwlfamrvN
— Chicago Marathon (@ChiMarathon) October 13, 2024
What was remarkable, almost chilling, was the way Chepngetich approached the race. From the start, she ran with an intensity that seemed to signal something extraordinary was about to unfold. Flanked by pacers Barnabus Kiptum and Evans Nyakamba Mayaka, she powered through the first five kilometers in a blistering 15:00 — that’s 2:06:35 marathon pace. By the time she hit halfway in 1:04:16, a time that would’ve been a women’s half-marathon world record just two years ago, the record watchers were buzzing with anticipation.
Chepngetich is no stranger to big moments in Chicago. She won here in 2021 and 2022, coming heartbreakingly close to the world record in the latter with a time of 2:14:18. But unlike previous attempts, Sunday saw no dramatic slowdown. Her second half of 1:05:40 was nearly as ferocious as her first, each split a testament to her sheer resilience and metronomic consistency.
WORLD RECORD!!!!!!🤯🤯
Ruth Chepngetich 🇰🇪 has just broken the women’s marathon World Record in Chicago, running a mind-blowing 2:09:57!!
First woman under 2:10Broke the World Record held by Tigst Assefa 🇪🇹 at 2:11:53
History has been made. pic.twitter.com/85QA0p7rQP
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) October 13, 2024
Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia, a pre-race favorite, also went out fast, covering the first half in 1:04:30, the ninth-fastest women’s half marathon ever. But even she was outpaced by Chepngetich, who soon began pulling away. By the time Chepngetich crossed the line, Kebede was over seven minutes behind, finishing in 2:17:32.
And then there’s Chepngetich’s astonishing pace: she averaged 4:57 per mile, marking the first time a woman has ever maintained a sub-5:00 pace over 26.2 miles. It’s a stat that, much like the record itself, is difficult to wrap one’s head around.
“I feel so great,” Chepngetich told NBC afterward, beaming with a sense of fulfillment. “I’m proud of myself and I thank God for the victory and the world record.” It was more than just a statement of athletic prowess; it was the realization of a dream she’s fought for, again and again.
Her victory, she said, is dedicated to the memory of the late Kelvin Kiptum, who set the men’s world record here last year. “The world record has come back to Kenya,” she added with pride. Chepngetich’s performance leaves little doubt that her name will be etched into marathon lore for years to come. As for Chicago, it’s now safe to say: there’s something about those flat, fast streets that brings out the very best in Ruth Chepngetich.
