Kenya's Chepngetich breaks women's marathon world record in Chicago

Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich smashed the women's marathon world record in 2 hours 09.57 minutes in her third win at the Chicago marathon on Sunday.

Chepngetich took almost two minutes off the previous world record set by Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa in Berlin last year (2:11:53 hours), and became the first woman to race under 2:10 hours.

"That was my dream and it came true. I'm very grateful," Chepngetich said.

The 30-year-old had already won the prestigious marathon in 2021 and 2022. Two years ago, she missed the world record by just 14 hundredths of a second.

Chepngetich's record was considered unimaginable for a long time and Assefa had already caused great astonishment in Berlin last year. But Chepngetich was extremely quick in the Chicago race, initially even setting the course for an incredible 2:06 hours.

Kenyan John Korir won men's event. One year after the world record set by compatriot Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a car accident in February, Korir finished in 2:02:43 hours. Kiptum's world record stands at 2:00:35 hours.

The 27-year-old Korir increased the pace impressively in the second half of the race and left his rivals behind with an attack at the right time.

Second place went to Huseydin Mohamed Esa from Ethiopia, who was just under two minutes slower. Amos Kipruto from Kenya, who was third at the world championships in Doha, completed the podium.