Kenyan Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir etched her name in the annals of marathon history, storming to victory in a women’s only world record time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 16 seconds at the prestigious London Marathon 2024 in a remarkable display of endurance and prowess,
The 30-year-old Jepchirchir led an extraordinary charge by elite African runners, who not only claimed the top four spots but also shattered the previous women’s only record of 2:17:01, set by Mary Keitany in 2017.
Jepchirchir’s triumph was all the more impressive considering the stellar field assembled for the women’s race, widely regarded as one of the strongest ever. She is one of six elite Kenyan female marathoners selected for the upcoming Olympics.
Alongside her were three of the four fastest women in marathon history, including world record holder Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia and fellow Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei.
From the outset, the leading pack established a blistering pace, quickly putting distance between themselves and the rest of the field, their sights firmly set on rewriting the record books.
As the miles ticked by, the lead group whittled down to a quartet of Jepchirchir, Assefa, Jepkosgei, and Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu, all locked in an intense battle for supremacy.
With the finish line in sight, Jepchirchir summoned her reserves of strength and kicked for home in the final few hundred meters, leaving her rivals in her wake to claim a historic victory in the British capital.
Assefa finished a close second in 2:16:23, while Jepkosgei (2:16:24) and Alemu (2:16:34) rounded out the top four, all etching their names in marathon folklore.
Jepchirchir’s record-breaking performance was the crowning glory of an exceptional day for Kenyan athletics, as compatriot Alexander Mutiso Munyao held off distance-running great Kenenisa Bekele to win the men’s race in 2:04:01.
