Kenyan long-distance runner Agnes Ngetich has made history by becoming the first woman ever to run a women-only 10-kilometer road race in under 30 minutes. The 24-year-old delivered an astonishing performance in Herzogenaurach, Germany, clocking 29 minutes and 27 seconds, officially breaking the previous women-only 10km world record.
The record, previously held by fellow Kenyan and the late Agnes Tirop, stood at 30:01 and was also set in Herzogenaurach back in 2021. Ngetich’s new world record is a monumental achievement in women’s athletics, further solidifying Kenya’s dominance in long-distance running on the global stage.
Reflecting on her win, Ngetich expressed her surprise and pride: “I’m so excited, I didn’t expect this. Last year I missed it by two seconds, so I wanted to come here today and try for it again. I’m so proud of myself. After missing out on the Olympics last year, I want to make up for it this year at the World Championships.”
This is not the first time Ngetich has broken the 10km barrier. In 2023, she ran a remarkable 28:46 at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja, becoming the first woman to run under 29 minutes in a mixed-gender road race. That performance shattered the previous mixed-race world record of 29:14 held by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw since 2022. However, her earlier women-only race performance in 2021, where she clocked 29:24, was not ratified due to the course being 25 meters short.
Ngetich is also known for her strong performance at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships, where she claimed a bronze medal. Her rapid rise in the long-distance scene, combined with her consistency and resilience, has positioned her as one of the top contenders in upcoming global competitions, including the World Championships and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Her accomplishment in Herzogenaurach has been hailed by the athletics community as a testament to the evolution of women’s distance running and the rigorous training culture within Kenya’s high-altitude camps. It also marks a significant moment in the history of road racing, inspiring a new generation of female athletes across the world.
Ngetich’s latest world record is expected to be ratified by World Athletics, further etching her name in the sport’s record books. As the 2024 athletic season intensifies, all eyes will be on her as she aims to conquer even greater milestones on the global stage.
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