Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich demolishes women’s world 10K record
Ngetich is the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier for the distance
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Brasov Running Festival
Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich shattered the women’s world 10K record, clocking an astonishing 28:46 at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja on Sunday. This remarkable achievement makes 22-year-old Ngetich the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier for the distance, surpassing the previous record, held by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw, by 28 seconds.
Ngetich’s time also surpasses the women’s 10,000m world record on the track, and her 5K split (14:13) tied Beatrice Chebet’s world record. Ngetich expressed her elation post-race: “Honestly, my clear goal was to break the world record, but 28:46 is beyond any expectations.”
NEW 10k WORLD RECORD /// 🧨👏
We just can’t, Agnes Ngetich 🤯
The first woman ever to go under 29 minutes slices 28 SECONDS off the previous best in Valencia.History is in Agnes’ hands… and she’s still just 22. 🙌🔥
👟 #Adizero Takumi Sen 9
⏱️ 28:46 pic.twitter.com/cqRuun4rqR— adidas (@adidas) January 14, 2024
Ngetich’s compatriot Emmaculate Anyango was the runner-up, closing in 28:57; she also snuck under the 29-minute barrier and was 17 seconds faster than the previous world record. World 5K silver medallist Lilian Rengeruk, also of Kenya, ran to third place in 29:32.
A remarkable total of 11 women broke the 15:00 barrier at the 5K mark, showcasing the high level of competition. The second half of the race faced a headwind, leading to a slight slowdown in pace.
Ngetich’s will now gear toward the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade in March, and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in August.
Top women
1 Agnes Ngetich (KEN) 28:46
2 Emmaculate Anyango (KEN) 28:57
3 Lilian Rengeruk (KEN) 29:32
4 Janeth Chepngetich (KEN) 29:55
5 Joy Cheptoyek (UGA) 30:03
6 Loice Chemnung (KEN) 30:08
7 Cintia Chepngeno (KEN) 30:08
8 Irine Cheptai (KEN) 30:17
9 Fotyen Tesfay Hailu (ETH) 30:20
10 Sarah Chelangat (UGA) 30:26
In the men’s race Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the reigning world cross-country champion, clinched victory with a time of 26:48. Kiplimo was the favourite heading into the race and took control at the two-kilometre mark.
Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew followed Kiplimo in, ducking under the 27-minute mark in 26:58, and Kenya’s Peter Mwaniki Njeru took third just behind in 26:59.
In November, Kiplimo won the renowned NN Zevenheuvelenloop (Seven Hills Race) 15K in Nijmegen, Netherlands, in a new world best time of 41:05, maintaining an impressive average pace of two minutes and 44 seconds per kilometre.
Kiplimo has his sights set on the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he hopes to double in the 5,000m and the 10,000m events.
Top men
1 Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 26:48
2 Birhanu Balew (BRN) 26:58
3 Peter Mwaniki Njeru (KEN) 26:59
4 Dennis Kibet Kitiyo (KEN) 27:01
5 Dominic Lobalu (SUI) 27:13
6 Andreas Almgren (SWE) 27:20
7 Mohamed Ismail (DJI) 27:27
8 Rogers Kibet (UGA) 27:33
9 Hillary Chepkwony (KEN) 27:34
10 Dawit Seare (ERI) 27:35
For full results of the 2024 10K Valencia Iberacaja head here.
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