Agnes Jebet’s world-record ignites Kamwosor village in Baringo

It was a normal Sunday for the residents of Kwamosor village in Baringo County, who, as is their norm, went to church for spiritual nourishment. However, as they bowed their heads in prayer yesterday, little did they know that their prayers were about to be answered in the most unimaginable way.

They were still in church when they received news that Agnes Jebet Ng’etich, the daughter of their beloved soil, had etched her name in the annals of history, slashing the 5km and 10km world records during the Transylvania 10km in Brasov race in Romania.

Jebet clocked 29:24 at the World Athletics Elite Label road race held on Sunday, September 10, 2023, as part of the Brasov Running Festival in Romania.

The 22-year-old showed her intent from the start, covering the first 5 kilometres in 14:25, four seconds faster than the women's record for that distance. She went on to pass 6.5km in 18:54 and 8.5km in 24:56 before crossing the finish line in 29:24 to record the fastest-ever 10 km in a women-only race.

Jebet trains at the Kamwosor Junior Training Camp in Baringo County. The camp’s head coach, Ruth Bundotich, who was also the day’s preacher, could not hide her joy. She noted that the win was great for the church and motivating for the other athletes at the camp.

"I was the preacher, and my preaching focused on success, and when I was still on the pulpit preaching, I received the great news of Agnes Jebet winning and breaking the world record. I had to be excused. I went out crying my heart out before returning and breaking the news to the congregants. It was jubilation, song, dance, and worship," said Bundotich.

According to Bundotich, Jebet called her on Saturday evening, on the eve of the race, requesting prayers ahead of the uphill task.

"We had a WhatsApp video call, and we prayed together before sleeping. In the morning, we did not talk because she was to run at 10 a.m. (EAT), and by that time, we were in church when the big news was revealed to us," she said.

She further thanks the church’s pastor, Stephen Rutto, who donated the land for the training camp and has greatly supported the team.

Jebet, who is a two-time East Africa under-20 gold medalist in both 1,500m and 3,000m, won the 10km road race in 29:24, beating the former world record set by compatriot Agnes Jebet Tirop, now deceased, during the Herzogenaurach in 2021.

Jebet’s time is the third-quickest in history, behind only the 29:14 run by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw in a mixed race in Castellon last year and the 29:19 Yehualaw clocked in Valencia this year.

She was followed by Catherine Reline in 30:14, with Ugandan Joy Cheptoyek coming in third at 30:34. Diana Cherotich, Viola Chepngeno, and Faith Chepkoech finished fourth, fifth, and sixth in that order, with Christine Njoki finishing seventh.

In the men's category, Shadrack Kipchirchir finished 5th overall behind Weldon Langat, who won the men's race in 27:05, followed by Amos Kurgat (27:12), Edward Zakayo (27:14), and Dennis Kimetto (27:17).

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