Kenyan Athlete Agnes Ngetich Breaks World Record

Kenyan Athlete Agnes Ngetich breaks the 10,000 race in Valencia, Spain, on Sunday, January 14, 2024
Kenyan Athlete Agnes Ngetich breaks the 10,000 race in Valencia, Spain, on Sunday, January 14, 2024.
Photo
World Athletics

Kenyan athlete Agnes Ng'etich has become the first woman in history to run a 10-kilometer race in under 29 minutes.

World Athletics announced on Sunday that Ng'etich shed off an impressive 28 seconds from the existing record to clock 28:46 during the 10,000 Valencia Ibercaja 2024 race.

Her record now awaits the usual ratification procedures by the World Athletics.

"Kenya's Agnes Ngetich smashes the 10 kilometres road race world record by an astonishing 28 seconds at the 10,000 Valencia Ibercaja 2024 and becomes the first woman in history to break 29 minutes," announced the athletics body.

Athlete Anges Ngetich breaks record at the Trunsylvania 10km in September 2023.
Athlete Agnes Ngetich breaks record at the Trunsylvania 10km in September 2023.
Photo
Canada Running Magazine

Shortly after winning the race, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba called the athlete to congratulate her for the feat.

"Stepped out of church this blessed sunny Sunday to the beautiful news of Agnes Ng'etich smashing the World Record in the 10km Road Race in Valencia Spain," Namwamba stated.

"I have spoken with Agnes on the phone to congratulate her on this superb feat. The Whole of Kenya is proud of you Agie."

Ng'etich's latest record succeeds the one she made during the women-only world 10km record in the Trunsylvania, Romania.

At the race held in September last year, the athlete ran for 29:24.

World Athletics indicated that Ngetich, 22, 'showed her intent from the start and covered the first 5km in 14:25 – four seconds faster than the women-only world record for that distance.'

“The world record is a surprise to me. I didn’t expect to get the world record. I just wanted a PB, low 30 minutes to break the course record, but a world record is really a surprise," she stated at the time.

With the win, the athlete stands to pocket Ksh5 million in line with President William Ruto's order.

CS for Youth Affairs and Sports Ababu Namwamba during the launch of Talanta Hela on February 2023
CS for Youth Affairs and Sports Ababu Namwamba during the launch of Talanta Hela on February 2023
Photo
Ababu Namwamba