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Ruth Chepng’etich has revealed her determination to push boundaries further after her record-breaking marathon feat, aiming to set new standards despite facing skepticism and intense global scrutiny.
New women’s marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich has promised to continue pushing boundaries after her groundbreaking performance at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.
The Kenyan sensation, who became the first woman to complete a marathon in under two hours and 10 minutes, says she is determined to lower her world record time of 2:09:56 even further.
Chepng’etich, who trains in Ngong without a coach and relies on pace setters, described her achievement as “remarkable” during a media briefing at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Wednesday.
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Despite the overwhelming praise, her feat has drawn skepticism from some quarters, prompting the 30-year-old to vow to leave no doubt about her abilities in the future.
“The weather was good, and I was confident. The pace setters did an amazing job,” said Chepng’etich, reflecting on her Chicago triumph as per Nation.
“Remember, I don’t have a coach and train with pace setters, so winning the race made me happy. I really don’t have next year’s program yet, but I will be guided by my manager.”
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The Kericho-born runner shared her training philosophy, which balances rigorous preparation with recovery.
“After every race, I take a two-week break and resume light training. I will be keen to lower my time in the near future. With proper training, I’m confident I can lower my time,” she noted.
Chepng’etich’s historic victory comes amid a season of shattered records in athletics, but it has not been without controversy.
Critics, including former marathon champion Amby Burfoot have questioned the legitimacy of her performance.
The skepticism reached a peak when journalist Robert Johnson of LetsRun.com confronted Chepng’etich about doping,a question that sparked outrage among Kenyan fans and defenders.
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Athletics Kenya quickly stepped in to defend their star athlete, calling the doubts “unfair” and highlighting the numerous records broken this year across disciplines.
In a statement, the federation urged the media to respect Chepng’etich’s privacy as she celebrates her extraordinary feat.
“In any case, many world records were broken this year, and to single her out is utterly unfair. It is therefore disheartening to witness some sections of the media casting unwarranted doubt on her achievements. Such aspersions, made without due process, undermine not only her efforts but the integrity of the sport,” read part Athletics Kenya statement.
Chepng’etich, unfazed by the scrutiny, says she sees the criticism as motivation to prove her detractors wrong.
“People will always talk, but I choose to focus on my training and performance,” she said in a separate interview.
Her manager hinted at a strategic race calendar for 2025 that will allow Chepng’etich to prepare meticulously for another record attempt.
Chepng’etich’s determination is further fueled by her nomination for the Women’s Out-of-Stadium Athlete of the Year award, where she stands alongside world-class competitors like Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.
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