Marathon record holder Ruth Chepng'etich eyes faster time
Ruth Chepngetich (left) receives her award from LG Head of Corporate Marketing Jane Kariuki during the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Personality of the Month award ceremony at Nyayo National Stadium on November 13, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Speaking at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi after receiving the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Personality of the Month award for October in Wednesday, Chepng'etich described the accomplishment as “remarkable.”
- "The weather was good, and I was confident. The pace setters did an amazing job. Remember, I don't have a coach and train with pace setters, so winning the race made me happy. I really don't have next year's programme yet, but I will be guided by my manager," shared the soft-spoken Kericho-born athlete.
New women's marathon record holder, Ruth Chepng'etich of Kenya, plans to further lower her time in the future.
Chepngetich, 30, who trains in Ngong with pace setters and no coach, achieved a groundbreaking time of 2:09:56 during the 2024 Chicago Marathon on October 13, winning the 46th edition and shattering the one-year record of 2:11:53 held by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa.
This made her the first woman to run a full marathon in under two hours and 10 minutes.
Speaking at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi after receiving the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Personality of the Month award for October in Wednesday, Chepng'etich described the accomplishment as “remarkable.”
"The weather was good, and I was confident. The pace setters did an amazing job. Remember, I don't have a coach and train with pace setters, so winning the race made me happy. I really don't have next year's programme yet, but I will be guided by my manager," shared the soft-spoken Kericho-born athlete.
"After every race, I take a two-week break and resume light training. I will be keen to lower my time in the near future. With proper training, I'm confident I can lower my time. This award is a motivation not only to me, but also to upcoming athletes to work hard, be confident, and remain disciplined so they can also win these awards.
It makes it more interesting when we have more competition. This is my third time winning the award, and I'm extremely happy and delighted," added Chepng'etich, who also earned the accolade in April 2021 and March 2022.
Chepng'etich, recently nominated for the Women's Out-of-Stadium Athlete of the Year award alongside Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan, received a 55-inch LG television worth Sh176,000 as part of her prize.
During the awards ceremony, LG Electronics East Africa Managing Director, Dong Wan Lee, highlighted the significance of recognising Kenya’s world-class athletes.
"At LG Electronics, we are committed to the empowerment of the communities in which we operate, and this award has, over the last decade, been a key avenue to showcase the importance of talent recognition to upcoming generations."
"We celebrate people like Chepng'etich, as well as the many other talented sports personalities that were nominated," Lee added.
SJAK President James Waindi also praised Chepng'etich’s record-breaking feat, noting his pride that Kenya holds both the men's and women’s marathon world records.
Among the competitors for the award was Harambee Junior Starlets striker Lorna Faith Wasike, recognised as Player of the Match when Kenya defeated Mexico 2-1 at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in the Dominican Republic on October 24.
Other nominees included Albania-based midfielder Kevin Wangaya, forward Aldrine Kibet of Spain's Nastic Soccer Academy, Kakamega Homeboyz goalkeeper Ibrahim Wanzala, and AFC Leopards right winger Hassan Beja.
Kenya Sevens players Patrick Odongo and Ben Salem were also nominated for their efforts in helping the team defend the Safari Sevens title, as were all-rounder Rakep Patel for his performance in the 2024 Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League “A” and trail runner Joyce Njeru, the first African woman to win the overall Golden Trail World Series title.
Additional nominees included Derrick Ogechi, Most Valuable Player at the Road to Basketball Africa League, and Kapsokwony Cross Country winner Maureen Jepkoech.
