In a remarkable display of endurance and speed, Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir set a new women-only world marathon record on April 21, 2024, at the TCS London Marathon.
This historic achievement, clocking in at 2:16:16, has now been officially ratified by World Athletics, solidifying her place in the annals of marathon greatness.
The race in London was highly anticipated, featuring one of the most competitive fields ever assembled for a women’s marathon. Among the elite athletes, the spotlight was on the potential to break Mary Keitany’s women-only world record of 2:17:01, set in 2017.
As the race unfolded, it became clear that the athletes were on pace to challenge this benchmark, with a blistering half-way split of 1:07:04 – the second-fastest ever recorded in London.
As the race progressed, the lead pack began to thin, leaving seven women to battle it out at the front. Among them was Jepchirchir, whose determination and tactical prowess began to shine through. With each passing mile, she maintained a relentless pace, gradually distancing herself from her competitors.
In the final stretch, Jepchirchir’s remarkable endurance and strength became evident as she surged ahead, crossing the finish line in 2:16:16. Her achievement not only shattered the previous record but also set a new standard in women’s marathon running.
Jepchirchir’s victory was by no means solitary in its brilliance. Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia finished just seven seconds behind, clocking 2:16:23, followed by another Kenyan, Joyciline Jepkosgei, in 2:16:24, and Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu in 2:16:34.
This race marked a historic moment as it was the first time in marathon history that four women finished inside 2:17.
Reflecting on her achievement, Jepchirchir expressed her joy and gratitude. “Breaking the world record has been a dream of mine, and to do it in such a prestigious event like the London Marathon is truly special. The competition was fierce, and I am proud to have shared the podium with such incredible athletes.”
The ratification of Jepchirchir’s record comes alongside another significant athletic milestone. Earlier in the year, Bahamian hurdler Devynne Charlton set a new world record in the 60m hurdles, clocking 7.65 seconds at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow on March 3. Charlton’s performance, which improved upon the previous shared record of 7.67 seconds, underscored her exceptional talent and determination.
Charlton’s journey to the record was marked by perseverance and focus. Having shared the world record with Tia Jones of the United States, Charlton’s 7.65 seconds in Glasgow represented not only a personal triumph but also a breakthrough in women’s indoor hurdling.
“This means a whole lot because I have set myself goals,” Charlton said after her record-breaking run.
“I have not changed my technique much – just a few tweaks – but I have been working hard off the track, making sure my mental health is good and working with a sports psychologist. Just taking care of myself. Indoors really plays well to my skillset too.”
These remarkable achievements by Jepchirchir and Charlton highlight a year of outstanding performances in women’s athletics. As their records are ratified, they serve as an inspiration to athletes worldwide, demonstrating that through dedication, hard work, and unwavering belief, new heights can be reached in the world of sports.
Source: World Athletics
