Chepngetich misses Brigid's world record in Chicago by 14 seconds

Ruth Chepngetich, of Kenya, crosses the finish line to win the women's division of the Chicago Marathon, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Ruth Chepngetich cruised to the pinnacle of long distance running, winning the Chicago Marathon in phenomenal race on Sunday, missing the World record set by Brigid Kosgei three years ago by only 14 seconds.

She ran 2:14:18, against the 2:14:04 world record set on the same course in 2019. The marathon star now becomes the second fastest in the distance.

As Chepngetich, a former world champion was threatening the world record, Benson Kipruto was running a tactical race, winning the men's race by edging out defending champion Seifa Tura of Ethiopia.

Chepngetich cemented her prowess in athletics, successfully defending her 2021 title and lowering her previous 2:17:08 personal best recorded at the 2019 edition by nearly three minutes.

She crossed the 21km mark in one hour five minutes and the second half in 1:09, posing the biggest threat to Kosgei's 2019 world record, about three months after failing to defend her world title in Oregon in July due to a stomach problem.

But last evening, she proved that she had regained her wellness and fitness after the world championships misfortune.

By the 35km mark, Chepngetich who was only competing with the clock, was racing a splendid pace, which was 10 seconds inside the world record.
"I was hoping to break the world record today but, I am happy for the performance. I will try to break it next time," Chepngetich told a reporter after finishing the race.

She had demolished another strong field to win the Nagoya Women's marathon in Japan earlier in the year.
American, Emily Sisson came in second, four minutes later, timing 2:18:29. She set the American record.

Had she sustained the first half pace, Chepngetich would have run a 2:12.
Her countrywoman, Vivian Kiplagat finished third in 2:20:52 while Ruti Aga of Ethiopia came in fourth in 2:21:41.

Kipruto, the winner of Toronto Water Front marathon extended the Kenyan dominance in the distance after outpacing Tura, the defending champion in a blistering speed in the last three kilometers of the race.

Tura made a move after 36km, but Kipruto and John Korir responded, and at about 39km, Benson decisively unleashed a kick that left the defending champion struggling to catch up.

Kipruto now has the second world marathon major trophy on his wall cabinet after a historic win in Chicago last year.

"It was a good race and I am happy that I won. The competition was tough and I had to calculate my moves," he said.
Selected Chicago marathon results
Men
1. Benson Kipruto 2:04:24 - KEN
2. Turan Abdiwak 2:04:49 - ETH
3.John Korir 2:05:01 - KEN
4. Benard Koech 2:07:15 - KEN
5. Tamru Aredo 2:07:53 - ETH
6.Hossoya Kyohei 2:08:05 - JPN
7. Mantz Conner 2:08:16 - USA
8. Sailing Hamza 2:08:22 - MAR
9. Erick Kiptanui 2:08:26 - KEN
10. Guojian Dong 2:08:53 - CHN
Women
1.Ruth Chepngetich 2:14:18 - KEN
2. Sisson Emily 2:18:29 - USA
3.Vivian Kiplagat 2:20:52 - KEN
4. Aga Ruti 2:21:41 - ETH
5. Mekasha Amare 2:23:41 - ETH
6.Sullivan Susanna 2:25:14 - USA
7.Vaughn Sara 2:26:23 - USA
8. Montaya Maggie 2:28:07 - USA
9.Inglis Sarah 2:29:37 - GBR
10.Morley Makena 2:30:28 - USA