Ruth Chepng’etich set a new women’s world record with a historic 2:09:57 at Sunday’s Chicago Marathon.

The 2019 world champion obliterated the previous record of 2:11:53, set by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa in Berlin last September.

Chepng’etich becomes the first woman to run under sub 2:10, adding to her victories in Chicago in 2021 and 2022.

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Chepng'etich had previously ranked fourth on the all-time list but chalked almost five minutes off her personal best from Chicago two years ago.

An emotional Chepng’etich dedicated her world record to the late Kiptum, who died in a road accident aged 24.

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Chepng’etich’s intent was clear from the start. She breezed through the first 5km in 15:00 and had Ethiopia’s Asefa Kebede for company.

She reached 10km in an astonishing 30:14 with Kebede two seconds behind.

Chepng’etich continued her relentless pace and hit the half-way mark in an incredible 1:04:16, the fifth-fastest clocking in history for the half marathon distance and putting her on course for a sub-2:09 finish.

Kebede had started to drop behind, but she was still operating well inside world record pace, reaching the half-way point in 1:04:30, three minutes ahead of Joyciline Jepkosgei.

“This world record I’m dedicating to Kelvin Kiptum,” Chepng’etich said moments after crossing the finish line. “I’m so happy. I don’t know how to explain. I feel so great.”

“The world record is my dream, that has now come true. I fought a lot thinking about the world record and now I’ve fulfilled it. I’m so grateful. This year the weather was perfect and I prepared well,” she added.

Kebede was distant second in 02:17:32,  Irine Cheptai completed the podium in 02:17:51, Ethiopia’s Diriba Kejela ( 2:20:22 ) beat Jepkosegei ( 02:20:51 ) in the battle for fourth place and Stacy Ndiwa rounded off the top 10 by clocking 02:23:42.

John Korir took the men’s title in 2:02:43, the second-fastest time ever recorded in Chicago behind Kiptum’s record of 2:00:35.

Ethiopia’s Huseydin Mohamed was second in 02:04:39 as 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto finished third in 02:04:50.