World Athletics finally ratify Chepngetich’s half marathon record

After seven months of waiting, Ruth Chepngetich's time of 1:04:02 set at the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon has finally been ratified by the World Athletics alongside Francine Niyonsaba’s 2000m record.

The reigning Chicago Marathon champion fended off strong opposition from Yalemzerf Yehualaw and two-time world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri to set the record time. 

The 27-year-old winning time of 1:04:02 broke the previous record of 1:04:31 that had been set by Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh in Ras Al Khaimah on 21 February 2020.

Chepngetich could not hide her happiness after breaking the record as she had been setting her sights on claiming a record for some time. 

“I am really happy with this amazing result. The world record is something I have been dreaming about for some time and I am so happy to do it on the streets of Istanbul,” said Chepngetich.

Her record however did not last for long as Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey broke the Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso with a time of 1:02:52 (pending ratification) on her debut in the half marathon. 

World Athletics also ratified Niyonsaba’s record in the 2000m after she ran a time of 5:21.56 at the women’s world half marathon record in Zurich. 

Niyonsaba, a hyperandrogenic athlete who was forced to abandon the 800m, her favourite distance took more than two seconds off the previous record that had been set indoors by Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba in Sabadell on 7 February 2017.

The Burundian beat Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu in the race was delighted to have broken the record and thanked the fans who spurred her on in Zurich. 

“I did it. It’s wonderful and it’s fabulous. The pacing was really perfect. I want to thank all the people who came to cheer us,” said Niyonsaba.