Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir Breaks World Record At London Marathon

Jepchirchir won the marathon on Sunday, April 21 clocking 2:16.16, which is better than the 2:17.01 set by Mary Keitany.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Apr 21, 2024 - 14:06 Updated: Apr 21, 2024 - 14:48
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Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir Breaks World Record At London Marathon
Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya winning a marathon. /CNN

Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir has broken the women's only world record in the 2024 London Marathon.

Jepchirchir won the marathon on Sunday, April 21 clocking 2:16.16, which is better than the 2:17.01 set by Mary Keitany.

She was racing against Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia), Megertu Alemu (Ethiopia) and Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya).

Assefa who had been lauded as a favourite before the race finished second with Joyciline Jepkosgei taking bronze.

Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir receives a Guinness World Records certificate on April 21, 2024. /GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

Ethiopian Tigst Assefa clocked 2:16:23 while Joyciline Jepkosgei came third after clocking 2:16:24.

No athlete from the United Kingdom where the race is being held managed to be in the top 10. Mhairi Maclennan was the first British woman to cross the finish line taking an overall 11th position.

The Olympic champion was overwhelmed with emotions after winning the race, a redemption from her third-place finish in the 2023 edition, which was won by Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.

Jepchirchir finished third behind Hassan who won the marathon on her first attempt, having switched from track and field where she dominated the 5,000 and 10,000 km races, finishing at a time of 2:18:34.

Jepchirchir had lost in the latter stages after being sidelined for months with an injury, despite taking control of the race in the earlier stages.

Hassan, who had fallen behind in the latter stages, pulled a stunning comeback to bag the coveted title in her debut marathon.

Among those who congratulated Jepchirchir for her amazing feat on April 21 was Guinness World Records, with an official photographed handing her one of the official certificates.

"What a fantastic marathon! Peres Jepchirchir runs the fastest female marathon ever with a time of 02:16:16," GWR wrote on X.

Her first major tournament win was in 2019 after she won the Luso Meia Maratona, Lisboa, Half Marathon in Portugal. 

Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir competing in the 2023 London Marathon on April 23, 2023. /FACEBOOK

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