CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 13: Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the 2024 Chicago Marathon professional women's division and set a new world record with a time of 2:09:56 at Grant Park on October 13, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Kenya’s finest, Ruth Chepng’etich, won the Chicago Marathon on Sunday at 2:09:56, smashing the previous women’s world record by nearly two minutes- 2:11:53, which Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia set at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
Chepng’etich became the first woman to run a marathon in under two hours and 10 minutes.
“I feel so great, I’m proud of myself. This is my dream that has come true,” said Chepng’etich, the 2019 world marathon champion.
“I’ve fought a lot thinking about the world record and I have fulfilled it.”
Similarly, Chepngetich’s compatriot, John Korir, won the men’s race in 2:02:44, ahead of Huseydin Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia, who finished in 2:04:39.
After winning their respective races, the duo dedicated their win to the late Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya, who broke the men’s world record at the 2023 Chicago Marathon- 2:00:35.
