Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya smashed the world record by nearly two minutes at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, winning in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 56 seconds. The 30-year-old broke the world record set by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia in 2:11:53 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia finished second in 2:17:32. “I feel so great. I’m very proud of myself,” Chepngetich said. “This is my dream. I fought a lot, thinking about the world record.” Chepngetich became the first woman to break 2:10 in a marathon. She also won the Chicago Marathon in 2021 and 2022 and finished runner-up last year. John Korir of Kenya won the men’s race in 2:02:44, besting Huseydin Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia, who finished in 2:04:39. Korir and Chepngetich ran in honor of the late Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya, who broke the world record by 34 seconds, finishing in 2:00:35, at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. “The world record has come back to Kenya,” Chepngetich said. “I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum.” Four months later, police said the 24-year-old Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, died in a car accident after hitting a tree near a training area in Kaptagat, Kenya. Organizers held a moment of silence for Kiptum before the race and offered the nearly 50,000 runners a memorial sticker to add to their bibs. The 26.2-mile race started and ended in Grant Park.Ruth Chepngetich, from Kenya, lowers her head while wearing the Kenyan flag after crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon to win the women’s professional division and break the women’s marathon world record in Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)John Korir, from Kenya, reacts after crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon to win the professional men’s division in Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)People cheer for runners on the State Street bridge in the first miles of the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Ruth Chepngetich, from Kenya, runs with the Kenyan flag after crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon to win the women’s professional division and break the women’s marathon world record in Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Runners pass the Chicago Theatre on State Street in the Loop during the Chicago Marathon, Oct. 13, 2024. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)A runner cheers as performers dance and cheer for participants at Melrose Street and Broadway in the Lakeviiew neighborhood during the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)Catherine Debrunner, from Switzerland crosses the finish line of the Chicago Marathon to win the professional women’s wheelchair division in Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Men’s professional division winner John Korir, right, celebrates with fellow Kenyans Daniel Ebenyo, center, and Amos Kipruto, after crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon in Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Runners head north on Columbus Avenue in Grant Park to start the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)John Korir, from Kenya, runs with the Kenyan flag after crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon to win the professional men’s division in Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Runners head down State Street in the Loop in the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Runners pass under CTA “L” tracks on LaSalle Street in the Chicago Marathon. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Ruth Chepngetich, from Kenya, crosses the finish line of the Chicago Marathon to win the women’s professional division and break the women’s marathon world record in Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Runners pass ROCKS Lakeview tavern on Broadway during the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)A runner dances to music at Melrose Street and Broadway in the Lakeview neighborhood during the Chicago Marathon. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)Marcel Hug, from Switzerland, crosses the finish line of the Chicago Marathon to win the professional men’s wheelchair division in Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Ruth Chepngetich, from Kenya, reacts after crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon to win the women’s professional division and break the women’s marathon world record in Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Spectators cheer runners along Broadway in the Lakeviiew neighborhood during the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)John Korir, from Kenya, crosses the finish line of the Chicago Marathon to win the professional men’s division in Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Performers dance and cheer for runners at Melrose Street and Broadway during the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)Wheelchairs launch in Grant Park to start the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)LaSalle Street runners head north in the first miles of the Chicago Marathon, Oct. 13, 2024. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Thousands of runners head north on Columbus Avenue in Grant Park to start the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Runners cross the State Street bridge in the first miles of the Chicago Marathon, Oct. 13, 2024. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)People cheer for runners on the LaSalle Street bridge during the Chicago Marathon, Oct. 13, 2024. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Runners cross the LaSalle Street bridge early in the Chicago Marathon, Oct. 13, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Runners pass down Wells Street during the Chicago Marathon, Oct. 13, 2024. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Runners dash across the LaSalle Street bridge during the Chicago Marathon, Oct. 13, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Runners make their way down State Street in the first miles of the Chicago Marathon, Oct. 13, 2024, in the Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Runners cross the State Street bridge in the first miles of the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024, through the Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)The Chicago Theatre backdrops runners on State Street during the Chicago Marathon. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Thousands of runners head north on Columbus Avenue in Grant Park to start the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Wheelchair athletes head north on Columbus Avenue in Grant Park to start the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Runners cross the LaSalle Street bridge early in the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)A trio of handcycles head north on Columbus Avenue in Grant Park near the start of Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)People cheer for runners on the LaSalle Street bridge during the Chicago Marathon, Oct. 13, 2024. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Runners head up LaSalle Street in the first miles of the Chicago Marathon, Oct. 13, 2024. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Runners cross the State Street bridge in the first miles of the Chicago Marathon, Oct. 13, 2024, through the Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Show Caption1 of 38Ruth Chepngetich, from Kenya, lowers her head while wearing the Kenyan flag after crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon to win the women’s professional division and break the women’s marathon world record in Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)Expand