January 14, (THEWILL) – On Sunday, 22-year-old Kenyan runner, Agnes Jebet Ngetich, made history in Valencia by smashing the women’s 10km road race world record by nearly half a minute with a time of 28 minutes 46 seconds.
Ngetich’s incredible performance betters the previous mark set by Ethiopian athlete Yalemzerf Yehualaw two years prior in 2022. Her achievement makes Ngetich the first woman in history to break the elusive 29 minute barrier over 10km on the roads.
“I am happy that I ran a world record of 28 minutes. I didn’t expect this,” Ngetich remarked after her record-breaking run.
In the men’s 10km race, Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda finished first with an impressive time of 26 minutes 48 seconds. However, all eyes were on Ngetich and her groundbreaking result in the women’s event on Sunday in Spain.
At only 22 years of age, Ngetich has firmly established herself as one of the rising stars in not just Kenyan or African athletics, but the world stage. With this incredible new 10km world best, she has proven she could become the next female marathon sensation to emerge from running-rich Kenya.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
