Athletics Kenya has released a statement in response to the media casting doubts and speculations over Ruth Chepngetich’s recent world record at the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Last Sunday, October 13, 2024, Chepngetich won the Chicago Marathon in a time of 2:09:56. Her result shattered the previous world record of 2:11:53, set by Tigst Assefa at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, by nearly two minutes. Chepngetich also became the first woman in history to run under 2:10:00 in the marathon.
However, much of the excitement surrounding Chepngetich’s Chicago performance was overshadowed by media and online comments questioning the legitimacy of her run, suggesting it seemed too good to be true.
Doubts began during the race itself. Chepngetich set a blistering pace, hitting 5K in 15:00 and 10K in 30:14. Her half-marathon split of 64:16 was the fifth-fastest half-marathon in history and the fastest half-marathon ever on American soil.
As she crossed the finish line with a record-breaking time, initial excitement was soon followed by growing skepticism, which intensified in the days that followed.
Today, in response to the growing criticisms, Athletics Kenya released a statement defending the new world record holder, stating that such assumptions “undermine not only her efforts but the integrity of the sport.”
Additionally, Ruth Chepngetich’s performance in Chicago and the ongoing media attention it has received were topics brought up in the most recent National Assembly in Kenya, which was held today, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2024.
Gladys Boss Shollei, a member of the Kenyan National Parliament, called out running news website and well known message board LetsRun.com’s co-founder, Robert Johnson, in today’s National Assembly.
Johnson, an American journalist, asked Cheptengetich at Sunday’s post-race press conference in Chicago if she was concerned that the public would suspect her performance was tainted by drugs, due to her home country’s history of doping troubles in running and her extraordinary new record.
During the National Assembly, Boss Shollei implied that these doubts were unfair and hurtful to Chepngetich, and she demanded Johnson and other media outlets apologize for the implication that Kenyan marathoner was cheating.
Boss Shollei continued to implore the National Government of Kenya to provide training for its athletes so that they may better communicate their stance as clean athletes when speaking publicly.
She also suggested that Johnson would not have accused an American athlete of cheating. Johnson has a history of asking tough questions to athletes who have come under the spectre of suspicion, including American athletes.
