KEY POINTS
- Ruth Chepngetich breaks the women’s marathon world record in Chicago with 2:09:56.
- She dedicated her win to Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a car crash.
- John Korir wins the men’s marathon with a time of 2:02:44.
Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya broke all previous records on Sunday at the Chicago Marathon, finishing in an unofficial time of two hours, nine minutes, and fifty-six seconds. Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa broke the previous record for a women’s marathon in Berlin last year, which was 2:11:53.
Chepngetich sets new women’s marathon record with 2:09:56 finish
By the halfway mark, Chepngetich, who won her third title in Chicago, was leading the race. The audience erupted in excitement as she crossed the finish line by herself. Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia came in second, trailing by seven minutes and thirty-six seconds, and Irine Cheptai of Kenya finished third in 2:17:51.
“It’s my dream realised,” Chepngetich exclaimed. After being listed as 2:09:57 at first, her time was changed to 2:09:56.
John Korir wins the men’s division with a career-high showing.
According to a report by Reuters, Kenya’s John Korir won the men’s division in 2:02:44 to capture his first significant marathon victory. After following the lead group for the first thirty kilometres, Korir broke away and finished about thirty seconds clear of his nearest rivals. Amos Kipruto of Kenya placed third in 2:04:50, while Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia came in second in 2:04:39.
A day of records and tributes in the Windy City
Chepngetich’s victory was particularly poignant because she dedicated her world record-breaking performance to her fellow Kenyan, Kelvin Kiptum, who passed away the year before and broke the men’s marathon world record in Chicago. Tragically, Kiptum passed away in a car accident four months later.
“I had the world record in mind,” stated Chepngetich. “As I mentioned in the press, Chicago feels like home.”
In Kiptum’s memory, there was a brief period of silence before the start of the race. “I was thinking about Kiptum today,” Korir remarked following his victory. “I had to put my faith in myself and give it my all.”
Together with Korir’s outstanding effort, Chepngetich’s victory turned the 2024 Chicago Marathon into an unforgettable day of victory and memory.
