Kenyan Athlete Agnes Ngetich Breaks World Record In Historic Milestone

Kenyan athlete Agnes Ngetich set a new world record in the 10-kilometre race on Sunday, January 14, becoming the first woman to run a race below 29 minutes.

World Athletics announced that Ngetich smashed the record by 28 seconds to secure victory, clocking 28:46 during the 10,000 Valencia Ibercaja 2024 race.

"Kenya's Agnes Ngetich smashes the 10 kilometres road race world record by an astonishing 28 seconds at the 10,000 Valencia Ibercaja 2024 and becomes the first woman in history to break 29 minutes," announced the athletics body.

Kenyan Athlete Agnes Ngetich breaks the 10,000 race in Valencia, Spain, on Sunday, January 14, 2024. /WORLD ATHLETICS

Her record is subject to the usual ratification procedures by the World Athletics before it can be made official.

The news was well received by Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba who temporarily suspended his church schedule to call the athlete to congratulate her.

"Stepped out of church this blessed sunny Sunday to the beautiful news of Agnes Ngetich smashing the World Record in the 10km Road Race in Valencia Spain.

"I have spoken with Agnes on the phone to congratulate her on this superb feat. The Whole of Kenya is proud of you Agie," he stated on X.

The 22-year-old who is a world cross-country bronze medallist was paced in the Spanish coastal city by her compatriot Japheth Kipkemboi Kosgei and the first world record fell at halfway as Ngetich went through the 5km checkpoint in 14:13.

That is six seconds faster than the women’s world record achieved in a mixed race, set by Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye in Barcelona in 2021, and matches the time Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet set in a woman-only race in Barcelona a fortnight ago.

Ngetich’s 10km time is also faster than the women's world record for the distance on the track, with Letesenbet Gidey’s world 10,000m record standing at 29:01.03.

Emmaculate Anyango also dipped under 29 minutes in Valencia, clocking 28:57 to finish runner-up to her compatriot Ngetich.

"I am so happy. I didn't expect this world record," said Ngetich.

"I was coming to improve my time, at least somewhere around 29:14, but I am happy that I ran a world record of 28 minutes. I didn't expect this."

Ngetich will now focus on the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24 in March and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where athletics will be the No.1 sport in August.

For breaking the world record, Ngetich is now in pole position to pocket Ksh5 million in line with President William Ruto's order.

Meanwhile, the men’s race was won by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo at 26:48.