Agnes Ng’etich, a Kenyan distance runner, has set a women-only world record in the half marathon at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. She completed the race in 1:05:15, surpassing the previous record of 1:06:16 set by her compatriot Peres Jepchirchir in 2020. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Ng’etich's career, solidifying her position as a top athlete in the sport.
Ng’etich's dominant performance in Copenhagen was not an isolated incident. Earlier in the year, she won her maiden senior world crown at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 10. She claimed the senior women’s 10km title in 31:28, finishing comfortably ahead of Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek and Ethiopia’s Senayet Getachew. This victory demonstrated her versatility and ability to excel in different distances and terrains.
The Kenyan athlete continued to showcase her impressive form throughout the year. On February 14, she dominated the women’s 10km at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour on home soil, winning in 32:28. She then rebounded from a rare setback at the New York Half Marathon on March 15, where she finished 13th in 1:10:25, by securing back-to-back 10km road victories in Lille and New York.
Ng’etich's success extends beyond the road to the track. At the Monaco Diamond League on July 10, she produced a masterclass performance to win the 3,000m in 8:08.95, ahead of Ethiopia’s Aleshign Baweke and Senayet Getachew. This victory highlighted her ability to adapt to different events and compete at the highest level.
The Copenhagen triumph was not only a personal achievement for Ng’etich but also a testament to Kenya's continued dominance in distance running. She orchestrated a dominant 1-2 finish for her country, with Veronica Loleo claiming silver in 1:06:50. Rwanda’s Florence Niyonkuru completed the podium in 1:06:08, while Kenya’s Daisilah Jerono narrowly missed out on the medals after finishing fourth in 1:06:13.
This latest achievement caps an outstanding 2026 campaign for Ng’etich, who has consistently demonstrated her prowess in various events. Her ability to perform under pressure and adapt to different distances and conditions has earned her a reputation as one of the top athletes in the sport.
Ng’etich's record-breaking performance in Copenhagen has sent a strong message to her competitors and solidified her position as a leading figure in women's distance running. As she continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, fans and athletes alike will be eagerly watching her next move.
Key points
- Agnes Ng’etich sets women-only half marathon world record in 1:05:15.
- Ng’etich dominates 1-2 finish for Kenya at World Road Running Championships.
- This achievement marks Ng’etich's second global title of the season.
