“It’s coming home soon, so don’t despair.”
That was the message that world 10km record holder Agnes Ng’etich had for Kenyans after missing the half-marathon world record by 16 seconds in Valencia, Spain, on Sunday.
Ng’etich was attempting to break the world record for the second time and said that the strong headwinds hindered her efforts.
Kenya’s Agnes Jebet Ng'etich celebrates after breaking the 10km world record at the Valencia 10km road race in Spain.
Photo credit: Pool
“It was so close yet so far. However, I can assure you it is coming home soon,” said Ng’etich.
Last year, Ng’etich,24, came close to breaking Letesenbet Gidey’s world record of 1:02:52 by 12 seconds when she won the Valencia Half Marathon in 1:03:04, her debut over the distance.
She made another attempt on Sunday on the same course but fell short. However, she retained her title with the third-fastest time of 1:03:08, finishing ahead of Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay (1:05:11). Other Kenyans Veronica Loleo (1:05:46) and Gladys Chepkurui (1:06:58) followed in third and fourth places.
“Last year, the rains wreaked havoc, but this year, strong headwinds in the second half of the race slowed me down,” said Ng’etich. “I will take on the challenge in Lisbon, which is another fast course. I hope the weather will be more favourable.”
The last time the Lisbon course produced a half marathon world record was in 2001, when the legendary Susan Chepkemei won in 1:55:44, becoming the first Kenyan to break the record.
Chepkemei beat South Africa’s Elena Mayer’s time of 1:06:44 becoming the first woman to run a half marathon in less than one hour and six minutes. Mayer had broken the record three times.
Ng’etich said that this victory marked the end of a great season free of injuries, unlike last season when she missed the Paris Olympics due to a stressed fracture.
Janeth Chepngetich (right) celebrates with Agnes Jebet Ngetich and Beatrice Chebet after the trio filled up the podium places in the women’s 10,000m race at Athletics Kenya National Trials for the 2025 World Athletics Championships at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi on July 22.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo| Nation Media Group
She described being given a wildcard for the 46th edition of the World Cross Country Championships, planned for January 10 in Florida, as a surprise but a great honour.
“That was the best news I received before my race on Sunday, and I am grateful to the selectors because not everyone gets such an opportunity,” said Ng’etich.
She claimed bronze at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia, and settled for fourth at the 2024 edition in Belgrade, Serbia.
“I know my good friend and defending champion, Beatrice Chebet, has also been given a wildcard, but I want to let her know that I want that coveted title too,” said Ng’etich. She placed 15th in 5,000 metres and fourth in the 10,000 metres at the World Championships in Tokyo in September. Chebet won both events.
Flanked by male athletes, Ng’etich attacked the World Athletics Gold Label road race at a frantic pace, hitting the 5 km mark in 14:38, well ahead of the world record. She cruised through 10 km in 29:28
She then slowed to reach 15 km in 44:36, still within the world record time of 1:02:43, though the pace eased over the final section.
