London Marathon: World record holder Ruth Chepngetich to race in April event
2025-01-15
Category: sports

Women's world record holder Ruth Chepngetich is set to race in the London Marathon on 27 April.The Kenyan, 30, ran the fastest time in history by a female athlete at the Chicago Marathon in October, clocking two hours, nine minutes and 57 seconds.Chepngetich's feat saw her surpass Ethiopian Tigst Assefa's previous record by nearly two minutes and become the first woman to run a marathon in under two hours and 10 minutes."The London Marathon always brings together the best athletes in the world," said Chepngetich."I didn't know (setting the world record in Chicago) was possible but I came to realise that dreams can come true."Chepngetich will be joined in London by Dutch Olympic champion Sifan Hassan and compatriot Peres Jepchirchir, who holds the women-only marathon world record.Peres set a time of two hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds in London last year where, unlike the Chicago Marathon, women run alongside the men rather than in a separate race."Myself, Peres and the other women are strong so it will be a competitive one," added Chepngetich."I want to prepare as best I can and we will see if we can lower Peres' world record. With the strength of the field, I think we can support each other and maybe the world record will fall."