**Ruth Chepngetich Shatters Women's Marathon World Record in Chicago**

In an extraordinary feat at the Chicago Marathon, Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya broke the women's marathon world record by clocking in at 2:09:56, becoming the first woman ever to run a marathon under 2 hours and 10 minutes. Chepngetich's remarkable performance not only secured her third win in Chicago but also slashed nearly two minutes off the previous record of 2:11:53 held by Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa. According to World Athletics, the new record will undergo the standard ratification process.

"I feel so great. I'm very proud of myself. This is my dream," Chepngetich shared with World Athletics after her triumph. She dedicated her record-breaking run to the late Kelvin Kiptum, her fellow Kenyan who set the men's world record in Chicago last year but tragically passed away in February. The emotional victory saw her posing with the Kenyan flag and taking a victory lap to the cheers of an ecstatic crowd.

Previously coming close to the world record by just 14 seconds in 2022, Chepngetich left no room for disappointment this time. She started strong, pulling ahead by the 10-kilometer mark, with only Ethiopia's Sutume Asefa Kebede managing to keep up initially. Kebede eventually finished second, with a time of 2:17:32, trailing nearly eight minutes behind. Kenya's Irine Cheptai came in third, 20 seconds after Kebede.

In the men's marathon, another Kenyan, John Koriri, emerged victorious with an impressive time of 2:02:43, the second-fastest ever in Chicago's history. Ethiopia's Huseydin Mohamed Esa secured second place, finishing just over two minutes behind Koriri. Kenya's Amos Kipruto completed the podium with a time of 2:04:50.

Additionally, Switzerland's Marcel Hug defended his title in the men's wheelchair race, finishing in 1:25:54 after an exciting sprint finish. His compatriot Catherine Debrunner dominated the women's wheelchair race, setting a new course record with a time of 1:36:21.

The 2023 Chicago Marathon was marked by extraordinary performances and emotional victories, cementing its reputation as one of the leading events in the world of long-distance running.