Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya made history at the Chicago Marathon by smashing the world record by nearly two minutes, finishing in an impressive time of 2:09:56. The 30-year-old athlete surpassed the previous record set by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia in 2:11:53 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia secured the second position with a time of 2:17:32.
Chepngetich's remarkable achievement not only earned her the victory but also marked her as the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier in the marathon. This win adds to her previous victories at the Chicago Marathon in 2021 and 2022, with a runner-up finish last year.
In the men's race, John Korir of Kenya emerged victorious with a time of 2:02:44, outpacing Huseydin Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia who finished in 2:04:39. Both Korir and Chepngetich ran in memory of the late Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya, who set a world record of 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon before tragically passing away in a car accident along with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, four months later in Kenya.
Prior to the race, organizers paid tribute to Kiptum by observing a moment of silence and offering the nearly 50,000 runners a memorial sticker to honor his memory. The marathon, covering a distance of 26.2 miles, commenced and concluded in Grant Park, providing a challenging yet scenic route for the participants.
It was a day of remarkable achievements and poignant remembrance at the Chicago Marathon, as athletes pushed their limits and paid tribute to a fallen record-breaker. The event showcased the resilience and spirit of the running community, highlighting the power of sport to unite and inspire individuals from around the world.
