Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich put on a performance for the ages as she obliterated the women's marathon world record in Chicago on Sunday (Oct 13), taking nearly two minutes off the previous best to win in an unofficial time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds.

Chepngetich ditched the competition by the halfway mark and ran through a chorus of cheers through the final straight as she claimed her third title in Chicago and crushed Ethiopian Tigst Assefa's previous record of two hours, 11 minutes and 53 seconds, set last year in Berlin.

Ethiopia's Sutume Kebede crossed the line seven minutes and 36sec later while Kenyan Irine Cheptai (two hours, 17 minutes and 51 seconds) was third.

"This is my dream that has come true," said Chepngetich, whose time was originally recorded as two hours, nine minutes and 57 seconds but was later adjusted.

Her compatriot John Korir won on the men's side in two hours, two minutes and 44 seconds.

Chepngetich set a blistering pace from the start, running the first five km in 15min flat and by the halfway mark she had built a 14-second cushion between herself and Kebede.

Related

---