Chepngetich world record breaks barriers

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich knocked almost two minutes off the
world record on the flat, fast Chicago Marathon course – further fuelling
debate about the “super shoe” arms race amongst manufacturers

WOMEN’S WORLD RECORD PROGRESSION*

Hrs:mins:secs
3:40
3:30
3:20
3:10
3:00
2:50
2:40
2:30
2:20
2:10
2:00

1963
1973
1983
1993
2013
2003
2023

3:40:22
Violet Piercy GBR
World best set in 1926,
stands until 1963

2:15:25
Paula Radcliffe GBR (2003)
Record stands for 16 years

2:14:04
Brigid
Kosgei
KEN (2019)

2:11:53
Tigst
Assefa
ETH (2023)

2:09:57
Ruth
Chepngetich
KEN
Third new
WR in last
five years

World
Athletics rank
record display as
equivalent to 1:59:37
in men’s marathon
– eclipsing current
time by almost
a minute

*Time initially
listed as
World best –
replaced by
World record
in Jan 2004

Nike Alphafly 3
Cost: $381 (€341)
Weight: 218g

Chepngetich
and compatriot,
Kelvin Kiptum
(inset) who set
new men’s mark
in 2023, both
broke record
wearing Nike’s
latest shoe


Source: IAAF
Pictures: Newscom, Getty, Nike
© GRAPHIC NEWS