Kenyan Runner Ruth Chepngetich Sets New World Record at Chicago Marathon

CHICAGO — Kenyan runner Ruth Chepngetich shattered the world record at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, winning the race in a remarkable time of 2:09:56, nearly two minutes faster than the previous record.

The 30-year-old athlete surpassed the world record held by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia, who set a time of 2:11:53 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia finished second in the race with a time of 2:17:32.

Chepngetich’s triumph marks a historic achievement, as she became the first woman to break the 2:10 mark in the marathon. She has previously won the Chicago Marathon in 2021 and 2022 and finished as runner-up in last year’s race.

In the men’s race, Kenyan John Korir emerged victorious, crossing the finish line in 2:02:44. He edged out Huseydin Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia, who finished second with a time of 2:04:39. Both Korir and Chepngetich ran in tribute to the late Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya, who had broken the world record in the 2023 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:00:35, only to tragically pass away in a car accident four months later.

Police reported that the 24-year-old Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, were killed in a car accident after their vehicle hit a tree near a training area in Kaptagat, Kenya.

Organizers held a moment of silence in honor of Kiptum before the race commenced and provided each of the nearly 50,000 runners with a memorial sticker to attach to their bibs. The 26.2-mile race began and concluded in Grant Park.