Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, the newly minted marathon world record holder, has opened up about how her daughter and Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have been key sources of inspiration throughout her journey. Chepngetich, who recently shattered Tigst Assefa’s world record by running an astonishing 2:09:56 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, spoke to Citius Mag about the forces that motivate her to keep pushing the boundaries of her sport.

Chepngetich, a three-time Chicago Marathon champion, became the first woman to officially break the 2:10 barrier, an incredible milestone that will go down in history. She revealed that the drive to give her daughter a better life has fueled her desire to succeed at the highest level.

“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 shared. “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.”

Chepngetich’s commitment to being a positive role model for her daughter is paralleled by the inspiration she draws from Fraser-Pryce, a Jamaican sprinting icon who has continued to excel on the world stage while balancing motherhood. The Kenyan marathoner expressed her admiration for Fraser-Pryce’s longevity and resilience.

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

Fraser-Pryce’s influence has been profound, not just on Chepngetich but also on other African athletes, including Faith Kipyegon, the three-time Olympic 1500m champion and world record holder, and Ivorian sprinter Marie-Josée Ta Lou. Both have publicly acknowledged the impact of the Jamaican sprinter on their own careers.

As a self-coached athlete, Chepngetich’s performance in Chicago was nothing short of phenomenal. Her marathon splits of 64:16 and 65:40 were unmatched by any of her competitors, with Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede finishing a distant second in 2:17:32.

With her Chicago victory and world record now in the history books, all eyes will be on Chepngetich as she prepares for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. As she continues to balance the roles of world-class athlete and mother, she’ll carry the motivation and inspiration from her daughter and Fraser-Pryce, two forces that have driven her to unprecedented heights in the marathon world.

World record holder Tigst Assefa hopes to set a new women’s-only best time in the TCS London Marathon on Sunday and believes it will be tougher to win than this year’s Paris Olympics.

Ethiopian Assefa smashed the world record in September when she finished the Berlin Marathon in two hours, 11 minutes and 53 seconds.

Next in Assefa’s sights is success in her maiden London Marathon and the women’s-only record, which is 2:17:01 and was set by Kenyan Mary Keitany at the 2017 event.

“I am very happy to be in London for the first time,” Assefa said via a translator.

“I did train very well for Berlin and I have trained well for this one. God will show how good I am on Sunday.

“I have prepared very well for this race and I am sure I can beat the course record here. As I am sure all my competitors here will feel as well.

“Regardless of whether it is London or Berlin, it will not change my strategy at all.

“I am here to win.”

Assefa took part in pre-race press duties on Thursday and was joined at the media centre in St James’ Park by Brigid Kosgei, Ruth Chepngetich and Peres Jepchirchir.

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Kosgei of Kenya held the world record until Assefa broke it in September but has won the London Marathon twice.

All four athletes were asked if victory in Sunday’s 26.2-mile race would be harder than winning the marathon at the Paris Games after London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher suggested that would be the case on Wednesday.

Only Kosgei felt the Paris Games would be harder with Assefa, Chepngetich and Jepchirchir all in agreement this weekend’s strong field made Sunday’s race the most difficult to win.

After Kosgei failed to finish last year’s race due to injury, she revealed preparation this time had gone well.

“I am happy to be here again this year,” Kosgei said. “Last year when I reached here I was not feeling well.

“I have been preparing well in Kenya and I am ready.”

Olympic champion Jepchirchir finished third in 2023 and backed a women’s-only record to be set this weekend.

Jepchirchir added: “On Sunday I know the field is strong and I know it is not easy. We are running with strong ladies.

“For myself, when I see the field is strong, I see the (course) record on Sunday. Yes, may the best win.”