Ruth Chepngetich

Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya set a new women’s marathon world record at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, finishing the race in 2:09:56.

She became the first woman to complete a marathon in under 2 hours and 10 minutes, breaking Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa’s previous record of 2:11:53 set in September 2023.

The 30-year-old runner finished the marathon almost 2 minutes clear of the previous world record.

Previously, Chepngetich had won the race in 2021 and 2022. She became the runner-up in the marathon last year.

Her compatriot John Korir won the men’s race.

Chepngetich won $100,000 by winning this prestigious race, along with another $50,000 for breaking the course record.

She dedicated her world record to late runner Kelvin Kiptum, who won the race in 2023. Dedicating her victory to Kiptum, Chepngetich said “The world record has come back to Kenya.”

Achieving a similar feat earlier this year, a chartered accountant and a father of two made Ahmedabad proud by becoming an Ironman Triathlon finisher on debut from Gujarat.

Jaimin Panchal finished the gruelling triathlon that consisted of a 3.9-kilometre swim, a 180-kilometre bike ride, and a 42.2-kilometre marathon in a record 13 hours, 19 minutes in Tallinn, Estonia on August 24.

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