Ruth Chepngetich, Kenya’s trailblazing marathoner, left many in disbelief after revealing she is self-coached, despite breaking the marathon world record at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.
Her achievement came as she posted a new record time of 2:09:56, shattering the previous mark of 2:11:53 set by Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa in Berlin last year. This made Chepngetich the first woman ever to complete a marathon in under 2:10.
Surprisingly, Chepngetich disclosed after her monumental run, “Me, as Ruth Chepngetich, I don’t have a coach. I am self-coached.” She elaborated that her training regimen involves working with a group of pacemakers in Ngong, Kajiado County, relying solely on her instincts, experience, and knowledge to prepare for major events.
This unconventional method, rare among elite athletes, appears to be paying off. Chepngetich admitted that her strong preparation left her confident about setting a world record. “I was not worried [about the pace]. I was feeling good. I decided we will go with that pace,” she said, as reported by Running USA. “My plan was 2:09 or 2:10. The world record is not easy. You need focus and determination.”
During the race, pacemakers Barnabus Kiptum and Evans Nyakamba Mayaka helped guide her to a blistering pace of 64:16-65:40, ultimately smashing Assefa’s record.
Reflecting on her achievement, she told NBC, “This is my dream that has come true. I fought a lot thinking about the world record…This year, the weather was perfect. I prepared well since London…World record was in my mind, and I have a good feeling.”
Chepngetich’s triumph in Chicago marks her third victory in the event, following wins in 2021 and 2022.
