At the Chicago marathon, Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich sets a new world record

In the “windy city” with its wide streets, Ruth Chepngetich grew wings. The 30-year-old Kenyan flew over the Chicago marathon on Sunday October 13, well accompanied by her generous stride, a few hares, and the thoughts of an entire country. Because it was there, in the big city of Illinois, that his compatriot Kelvin Kiptum had come close, a year earlier, to the legendary 2-hour mark, completing the 42.195 km in 2 h 00 min 35 s, a world record. to the key.

But the runner was not at the start. He died in a car accident at the age of 24 in February. Enough to make this moment even more symbolic when Ruth Chepngetich’s time stopped, displaying 2:09:57: the new global reference for women. Ethiopian Sutume Kebede took second place, far, far away, in 2:17:32.

The icing on the cake, Ruth Chepngetich was able to count on the encouragement of her compatriot John Korir in the last meters of her effort. The 27-year-old runner, who crossed the finish line a few minutes before her, with relaxation and an excellent time (2:02:43), to achieve his first success in one of the six major marathons . His acceleration three-quarters of the way through the course was formidable: none of his rivals were able to follow him.

Particularly expected in Chicago – where she had already won in 2021 and 2022, recording her two best personal performances; her record until then stood at 2:14:18 – Ruth Chepngetich dictated an untenable pace to her main adversaries. “I am very proud of myself, she reacted. I had this world record in mind, it was my dream, and today, everything was perfect: the weather, and my preparation. » This is the first time that a runner has completed the distance in less than 2 h 10 min, the old reference, established on September 24, 2023 in Berlin by the Ethiopian Tigist Assefa, was 2 h 11 min 53 s.

“I dedicate this record to Kelvin”

Out of breath, but smiling as well as moved, the winners of the day covered themselves with the Kenyan flag before doing a series of poses to immortalize this inevitably suspended moment. With a thought for their absent compatriot. “I dedicate this record to Kelvin [Kiptum]he too had broken a world record here and he could have broken one again”said Ruth Chepngetich.

A large tribute was also paid to him before departure, in particular by means of stickers worn by the participants. The tragic story of a runner full of promise that will never see the light of day. The circumstances of his accident continue to fuel rumors and doubts in his country, as in the world of athletics.

Another absence was also noticed during this edition. The Dutch Sifan Hassan, reigning Olympic champion in the distance – and bronze medalist in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the Paris Games – did not start the race.

The last major marathon of the season will take place in New York on November 3. The grid should be fuller, now with new brands in the lead and, perhaps, new achievements.