Oct 14,V7N- Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich delivered a historic performance at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, shattering the women’s marathon world record with a time of 2:09:56, slicing nearly two minutes off the previous record of 2:11:53 set by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa in Berlin last year. Chepngetich dominated the race, breaking away from the pack by the halfway mark and charging through the final stretch to claim her third Chicago title.

Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede finished second, crossing the line more than seven minutes later, while Kenya’s Irine Cheptai secured third place in 2:17:51.

Chepngetich’s blistering pace had commentators marveling as she ran the first five kilometers in just 15 minutes and built a 14-second lead by the halfway point. By the time she crossed the finish line, she had not only claimed the world record but also dedicated her remarkable performance to fellow Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum, who had set the men’s marathon world record in Chicago the previous year before tragically dying in a car accident four months later.

On the men’s side, Kenya’s John Korir won in 2:02:44, securing his first major title with a personal best. He surged ahead of the pack in the final kilometers, finishing 30 seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa, who took second, while Kenya’s Amos Kipruto finished third. Korir also dedicated his victory to Kiptum, who was honored with a moment of silence before the race began.

Chepngetich’s stunning world record and Korir’s emotional win capped off a memorable day in Chicago, with both athletes celebrating personal and national triumphs on a global stage.

END/WSP/RH/