Ruth Chepngetich discloses Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, the newly-crowned world marathon record holder, has shared how her daughter and Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have been key in her career.

Newly-crowned world marathon record holder Ruth Chepngetich says she gets motivated to run faster times from her daughter so that she gives her a good life.

Chepngetich smashed Tigst Assefa’s world record when she ran an astonishing 2:09:56 at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday to lower the 2:11:53 mark set by the Ethiopian in 2023.

The 30-year-old became the first woman to run an official marathon under 2:10, an incredible achievement in the sport.

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Chepngetich, who ran marathon splits of 64:16-65:40, to obliterate Assefa’s record, says being a mother means she has to work extra hard to ensure she gives her school-going daughter inspiration and a good life.

“I am pushing so much because my daughter is motivating me to work harder, now she is in Form One so I should work hard for her to study,” Chepngetich said during an interview with Citius Mag.

“Mothers always have a lot to do so it is not easy. Our children are motivating us to work harder so that we show them the way and how life goes.”

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The three-time Chicago Marathon winner also shared how she has been encouraged to keep going by Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce due to her longevity and ability to balance motherhood and her athletics career.

“Shelly-Ann motivates me and inspires me to do a lot,” she added. “She started her career a long time ago before me so I am following in her footsteps to run for long like her and smart.”

Chepngetich, who has confessed that she is self-coached, put up a great performance in Chicago where her rivals could not get closer.

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The 2019 world champion came home in world record time with second-placed Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia arriving minutes later in 2:17:32.

It was her third victory in Chicago following wins in 2021 and 2022 and eyes will be on her heading into next season, where the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan is among the top events lined