World half marathon record holder Agnes Ng'etich is set to trade roads for the track in 2027 as she targets a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China. Ng'etich reaffirmed her dominance in road running by setting a women-only world half marathon record at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, last weekend, with a time of 1:05:15. This achievement solidifies her position as a leading figure in the sport.
Ng'etich's record-breaking performance in Copenhagen surpassed Peres Jepchirchir's previous record from the 2020 World Road Running Championships by a second. The Kenyan athlete led home Veronica Loleo in a one-two finish, while Rwanda's Florence Niyonkuru secured bronze with a time of 1:06:08. In addition to her half marathon success, Ng'etich also holds the world 10km record, which she set in Valencia in 2024 with a remarkable time of 28:46.
The 25-year-old athlete has expressed her desire to win a gold medal on the track, stating that it is the only achievement missing from her career. Ng'etich made her World Championships debut in Budapest in 2023, finishing sixth in the 10,000m with a time of 31:34.83. She has since won the senior women's 10km at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 10, comfortably ahead of Uganda's Joy Cheptoyek and Ethiopia's Senayet Getachew.
Ng'etich has had a busy competition schedule, including her participation in the Tokyo 2023 World Championships, where she competed in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events. She placed 15th in the 5,000m with a time of 15:13.78, while Beatrice Chebet claimed gold. Over 25 laps, Ng'etich finished fourth in the 10,000m with a time of 30:42.66. She has also won the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour title and secured victories in 10km road races in Lille and New York.
Despite a setback at the New York Half Marathon on March 15, where she finished 13th with a time of 1:10:25, Ng'etich has demonstrated her versatility and endurance. Her return to the track at the Monaco Diamond League on July 10 saw her produce a commanding performance, winning the 3,000m in 8:08.95 ahead of Ethiopia's Aleshign Baweke and Senayet Getachew.
Ng'etich's decision to focus on track events in 2027 marks a significant shift in her career. With her impressive record on the roads, she is expected to be a strong contender for the World Athletics Championships gold medal. Her experience and achievements to date suggest that she has the potential to make a significant impact on the track.
As Ng'etich prepares for the 2027 World Championships, she will need to adapt her training and strategy to the demands of track events. With her talent, dedication, and experience, she is well-positioned to achieve her goal of winning a gold medal on the track. The 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing will provide a platform for Ng'etich to showcase her skills and compete against the best athletes in the world.
Key points
- Agnes Ng'etich aims to win a gold medal at the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China.
- Ng'etich holds the women-only world half marathon record with a time of 1:05:15.
- The 25-year-old Kenyan athlete will shift her focus from road running to track events in 2027.
