London: Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir made history at the London Marathon on Sunday, smashing the women-only world record by an astonishing 45 seconds. The Kenyan athlete crossed the finish line in 2:16:16, securing victory in the World Athletics Platinum Label Road Race.
Jepchirchir’s remarkable performance marks her third victory in a World Marathon Majors race, cementing her status as one of the most formidable long-distance runners in the world. Sprinting away from a formidable field that included world record-holder Tigist Assefa, 2021 London winner Joyciline Jepkosgei, and last year’s runner-up Megertu Alemu, Jepchirchir showcased her exceptional skill and endurance throughout the grueling race.
From the outset, the pace was swift as a lead pack of nine women blazed through the first 10 kilometers in 31:26. By the halfway mark, the group had dwindled to seven competitors, setting a blistering pace of 1:07:04.
It wasn’t until approximately 18 miles into the race that Jepchirchir, Assefa, Jepkosgei, and Alemu managed to break away from the pack, running together for the majority of the remaining distance. With the finish line in sight and the clock approaching 2:15, Jepchirchir launched her final surge, leaving her rivals behind.
In a breathtaking display of strength and determination, Jepchirchir crossed the finish line in 2:16:16, shattering the previous women-only world record of 2:17:01 set by Mary Keitany in 2017.
Following Jepchirchir’s historic feat, Alexander Mutiso Munyao claimed victory in the men’s race, completing the marathon in 2:04:01. The Kenyan runner finished ahead of Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele by a margin of 14 seconds, securing a memorable double triumph for Kenya at the prestigious London Marathon.
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