CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Marathoner Ruth Chepngetich is no stranger to experiencing victory in Chicago, but Sunday not only did she finish first, she set a world record.
Chepngetich won the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, shattering the women’s record by nearly two minutes. With a time of 2:09:56, the Kenyan also became the first woman to run a marathon in less than two hours and ten minutes.
Chepngetich, 30, previously won the 2022 and 2021 Chicago Marathons. She finished second last year.
Sunday’s finish erases Ethiopian runner Tigist Assefa’s 2:11:53 time set just last year in the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
On the men’s side, fellow Kenyan John Korir finished first, at an unofficial time of 2:02:44 seconds. It’s his first victory in Chicago after finishing fourth last year and third in 2022.
According to NBC 5 Chicago, it’s the second fastest time in men’s marathon history. Kelvin Kiptum, killed in February, remains the record holder, with his 2023 Chicago Marathon time of two hours and thirty-five seconds.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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