22-year-old Agnes Ngetich has etched her name in history by breaking the women’s world 10km record at the prestigious 10K Valencia Ibercaja race, a World Athletics Label road race. The event took place on Sunday, January 14, 2024, marking a momentous day in the world of athletics.
Ngetich’s extraordinary performance saw her completing the 10km race in an astonishing 28 minutes and 46 seconds. This feat not only secured her victory but also established a new world record for the fastest completion of the 10km distance by a woman, surpassing the previous record set by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw in Castellon two years ago by an impressive 28 seconds.
What makes Ngetich’s accomplishment even more remarkable is her ability to conquer the 10km distance in under 29 minutes, a milestone never achieved by any woman before. Her stellar performance showcases not only her exceptional athleticism but also the relentless pursuit of excellence in the world of long-distance running.
Ngetich’s dominance was evident as she reached the halfway mark in just 14 minutes and 13 seconds, obliterating the record for a mixed race by six seconds. This particular record was previously held by Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye in Barcelona in 2021. Moreover, Ngetich’s halfway time aligns with the impressive record clocked by Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet in a woman-only race in Barcelona on December 31, 2023, as reported by World Athletics.
It’s noteworthy that Ngetich’s achievement extends beyond road racing, as her time of 28:46 is even faster than the women’s world record for the 10,000m distance on the track, currently held by Letesenbet Gidey at 29:01.03. This places Ngetich among the elite athletes who have showcased extraordinary prowess in long-distance running.
“I am happy that I ran a world record of 28 minutes. I didn’t expect this,” she said.
In the race at Valencia, Ngetich’s compatriot Emmaculate Anyango secured the second spot, crossing the finish line in an impressive 28 minutes and 57 seconds, adding to the overall success of Kenyan athletes in the event.
Agnes Ngetich’s historic performance not only cements her status as a rising star in long-distance running but also brings a new level of excitement and anticipation to future competitions. As the athletics community celebrates this remarkable achievement, Ngetich’s record-breaking run serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes and a testament to the limitless possibilities in the world of sports.