In the “windy city”, with 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 step, some hares and the thoughts of an entire country. Because it was there, in the great city of Illinois, where his compatriot Kelvin Kiptum had approached, a year earlier, the legendary 2-hour mark, completing the 42.195 km in 2 h 00 min 35 s, a world record. 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 even more symbolic this moment in which Ruth Chepngetich’s time stopped, showing 2:09:57: the new world reference for women. Ethiopian Sutume Kebede took second place, far, far away, in 2:17:32.
As 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 her first success in one of the six major marathons. His acceleration during three quarters of the race was formidable: none of his rivals could follow him.
It was especially expected in Chicago, where he had already won in 2021 and 2022, recording his two personal best performances; Her record until then was 2:14:18 – Ruth Chepngetich dictated an unsustainable pace to her main opponents. “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. » It is the first time that a runner completes the distance in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, the old reference, established on September 24, 2023 in Berlin by the Ethiopian Tigist Assefa, was 2 hours 11 minutes 53 seconds.
“I dedicate this album to Kelvin”
Breathless, but smiling and excited, the winners of the day covered themselves with the Kenyan flag before striking a series of poses to immortalize this inevitably suspended moment. With a thought for his absent compatriot. “I dedicate this album to Kelvin [Kiptum]He had also broken a world record here and could have broken it again.”said Ruth Chepngetich.
A great tribute was also paid to him before the start, in particular through stickers worn by the participants. The tragic story of a runner full of promises who will never see the light. The circumstances of his accident continue to fuel rumors and doubts in his country, as in the world of athletics.
During this edition another absence was also noted. The Dutch Sifan Hassan, current Olympic distance champion – and bronze medalist in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the Paris Games – did not start the race.
The last big marathon of the season will take place in New York on November 3. The grid should be more complete, now with new brands at the helm and, perhaps, new achievements.
