Agnes Ngetich eyes new challenges after stunning 10km world record

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ATHLETICS Agnes Ngetich eyes new challenges after stunning 10km world record

Festus Chuma 11:00 - 16.01.2024

Kenya's Agnes Ngetich recently broke 10km world record and now eyes on major future athletic events.

New women's World 10km record holder Agnes Ngetich is not resting on her laurels after her groundbreaking performance at the 10k Valencia Ibercaja.

Having clocked an extraordinary 28:46, Ngetich is now eyeing the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, scheduled for March.

At just 22 years old, Ngetich's feat in Valencia was more than a victory; it was a historic moment.

She became the first woman ever to break the 29-minute barrier for the 10km distance, surpassing the previous mixed-race world record held by Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw by a significant 28 seconds.

"I'll be doing the Kenyan trials for Belgrade, where I would like to improve on my bronze medal from last year," Ngetich stated in an interview with World Athletics.

The road to this record was not without its challenges as September, a course in Brasov, where Ngetich initially appeared to break the women-only 10km world record, was found short.

However, undeterred by this setback, she claimed a personal best of 29:26 in Lille last November, setting the stage for her stunning performance in Valencia. 

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In Valencia, Ngetich's pace was set by Japheth Kipkemboi Kosgei, and she matched the record set by Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet in a women-only race in Barcelona by completing the 5km checkpoint in 14:13.

Her final time in Valencia also surpassed the women's world record for the distance on the track.

The race itself was a testament to women's running, with 11 competitors breaking the 15:00 barrier at the 5km mark.

Despite facing a challenging headwind in the race's second half, Ngetich maintained a comfortable lead, reaching the eighth kilometre in 23:10.

Ngetich's victory was soon followed by her compatriot Emmaculate Anyango, who clocked an impressive 28:57, making her the runner-up and another sub-29-minute finisher.

Looking ahead, Ngetich is not only focused on the World Athletics Cross Country Championships but also has her sights set on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

As athletics takes center stage in August 2024, she is keen to represent her country and possibly clinch more records and medals. 

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