Ruth Chepngetich shatters marathon world record in Chicago

Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the 2024 Chicago Marathon and set a new world record with a time of 2:09:56. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Chepngetich Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich shattered the marathon world record by knocking almost two minutes off the previous best as she became the first woman to run under two hours 10 minutes in Chicago.

The 30-year-old ran 2:09.56 - considerably faster than Tigist Assefa's mark of 2:11:53, set in Berlin last year - as she made it three wins in four years at the event.

Her time was more than four minutes better than her best, set over the same course two years ago.

Chepngetich reached the halfway mark in 1:04:16, the fifth-fastest time in history for the half-marathon distance, and after missing out on the world record by 14 seconds in 2022 she powered through the final stages to break through the sub-2:10 barrier.

"I feel so great. I'm very proud of myself. This is my dream. I fought a lot, thinking about the world record," said Chepngetich, who dedicated the feat to men's marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum who died in a car crash in February.

"The world record has come back to Kenya, and I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum."