Kenyan athlete Agnes Ngetich has set a new women-only half marathon world record, clocking 1:05:15 at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen. This achievement marks her second global title of the year, following her win at the World Cross Country Championships in January. Ngetich's record-breaking performance solidifies her position as a leading figure in long-distance running.
The 25-year-old Ngetich surpassed the previous record of 1:05:16, set by compatriot Peres Jepchirchir in Gdynia, Poland, in 2020. According to race data published by World Athletics, Ngetich took the lead from the start and established a ten-second advantage by the five-kilometer mark. Her victory in Copenhagen further demonstrates her dominance in the sport.
Ngetich's win in Copenhagen was followed by a notable performance from fellow Kenyan Veronica Loleo, who secured silver with a time of 1:06:05. Rwanda's Florence Niyonkuru claimed bronze, setting a national record of 1:06:08. The women-only record applies to races contested without male athletes or pacemakers, highlighting Ngetich's achievement in a competitive field.
Ngetich's record-breaking performance is distinct from the overall women's half marathon record, which is held by Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey with a time of 1:02:52, achieved in a mixed race in 2021. Ngetich herself has run 1:03:04 in a mixed race in Valencia in 2024, which was the second-fastest women's half marathon time recorded at the time.
In addition to her half marathon success, Ngetich holds the mixed-race and women-only 10 km world records with times of 28:46 and 29:27, respectively. Her achievements demonstrate her versatility and skill across various distances. Ngetich expressed her gratitude and happiness at achieving the world half marathon record.
Looking ahead, Ngetich plans to consult with her coach about her next steps, with a potential return to track racing for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing. She cited her dream of winning a gold medal on the track as a primary goal, describing it as "the only one I am missing." Ngetich's aspirations and achievements have solidified her position as a leading athlete in Kenya.
Kenya continues to assert its dominance in athletics, with the country set to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. This will mark the first time the championships will be held in Africa, with Nairobi defeating bids from London, Rome, and Munich to secure the hosting rights. The country's success in athletics is evident, with Kenya finishing second behind the US at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
Key points
- Agnes Ngetich breaks women-only half marathon world record with a time of 1:05:15.
- Ngetich's achievement marks her second global title of the year.
- Kenya continues to assert its dominance in athletics, set to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships.
