Agnes Ngetich, a 22-year-old Kenyan athlete, has etched her name in history by breaking the 10K world record in a spectacular performance at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja this morning.
Clocking an astonishing time of 28:46, Ngetich shaved off an impressive 28 seconds from the previous record held by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw.
Her remarkable achievement surpasses not only the road world record but also the women’s world record for the distance on the track. The current women’s 10,000m record on the track is 29:01.03 held by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey.
Ngetich, a world cross-country bronze medallist, was skillfully paced by her compatriot Japheth Kosgei during the race.
She crossed the 5km point in 14:13, which is six seconds faster than the women’s world record achieved in a mixed race, set in Barcelona by Ejgayehu Taye of Ethiopia in 2021, and matches the time Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet set in a woman-only race.
Expressing her joy to World Athletics, Ngetich stated, “I am so happy. I didn’t expect this world record. I was coming to improve my time, at least somewhere around 29:14, but I am happy that I ran a world record of 28 minutes. I didn’t expect this.”
The feat has drawn widespread praise, with Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba celebrating Ngetich’s victory. “The whole of Kenya is proud of you, Agie,” he stated to Pulse Sports.
Ngetich’s record-breaking run is not her first, as she had previously set the 10K world record in a women-only race in September with a time of 29:24. However, her latest achievement is exceptional, solidifying her status as a dominant force in long-distance running.
World Athletics, while acknowledging Ngetich’s extraordinary performance, described it as “out of this world.” The record is currently subject to ratification procedures before being officially declared.
Looking ahead, Ngetich now shifts her focus to the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade in March and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she will focus on the 10,000m track race.
In the men’s race, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo secured victory with a time of 26:48, adding to the excitement of an unforgettable day of racing in Valencia.
