Kenya’s legendary marathon runner Catherine Ndereba has dismissed the doubts and skepticism that have emerged around Ruth Chepngetich’s recent world record, emphasizing that such feats were inevitable as athletes continue to push the boundaries of performance. Ndereba, who made history herself with multiple record-breaking performances, sees Chepngetich’s achievement as part of the natural evolution in the sport of marathon running.
Chepngetich made headlines this October by becoming the first woman to officially break the sub-2:10 barrier in a marathon, finishing in an astounding 2:09:56 at the Chicago Marathon. Her time shattered the previous record of 2:11:53 set by Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa in Berlin in 2023. However, her achievement was not without controversy. Some critics have questioned the authenticity of such fast times, hinting that modern technological advancements and other external factors might be playing an outsized role.
Despite the criticisms, Ndereba has expressed full confidence in Chepngetich’s performance, arguing that such milestones are part of the sport’s progression. According to her, faster times were bound to happen, given the ever-increasing competitiveness in women’s marathon running. She foresees even more records being set in the coming years as athletes continue to push their limits.
Ndereba emphasized that the women’s marathon has evolved significantly over the past two decades. Reflecting on her own career, she recalled how breaking the sub-2:20 mark was once considered unthinkable. Japanese runner Naoko Takahashi first achieved the feat with a time of 2:19:46 at the Berlin Marathon in 2001, a performance that stunned the athletic world. However, Takahashi’s record was short-lived, as Ndereba herself went on to set a new world record just a few weeks later, finishing the Chicago Marathon in 2:18:47.
This trend of rapid improvements has continued over the years. After Ndereba’s accomplishment, the Chicago Marathon once again became the setting for another milestone in 2002, when British runner Paula Radcliffe broke the sub-2:18 barrier with a time of 2:17:18. Radcliffe further cemented her legacy by lowering her record to 2:15:25 at the London Marathon in 2003. This record stood for 16 years, a remarkable period of dominance, until Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei set a new benchmark of 2:14:04 in 2019, also in Chicago. Kosgei’s achievement, much like Chepngetich’s, faced scrutiny, but she held the record until Assefa surpassed it in 2023.
For Ndereba, these performances reflect the natural course of athletic progress. She noted that every new record seems to bring along its share of skepticism, but athletes consistently rise to prove doubters wrong. Just as her own records were surpassed in due time, she believes that Chepngetich’s groundbreaking performance is part of a long lineage of progress in women’s marathon running.
Ndereba attributes part of this improvement to technological advancements, especially in athletic footwear. The development of specialized marathon shoes has played a significant role in helping athletes achieve faster times. While some purists may view this with suspicion, Ndereba sees it as an inevitable part of sports evolution. These advancements, she argued, are no different from other innovations seen in athletics over the years, from improved training methods to better nutrition.
She also emphasized the favorable conditions offered by the Chicago Marathon, which she describes as a fast course that has consistently produced record-breaking performances. With the right weather conditions, Chicago has become synonymous with world records, and Chepngetich’s success is the latest in a long line of extraordinary achievements at the event. In addition to Ndereba’s own records, the course also witnessed Kelvin Kiptum’s world record in the men’s marathon when he ran 2:00:35 in 2023, narrowly missing the elusive sub-2-hour mark.
Looking ahead, Ndereba believes that the future of women’s marathon running is bright. She expects more athletes to break barriers that were once thought to be unattainable, especially as the sport continues to attract a new generation of talented runners. The competitive nature of modern marathons, combined with technological innovations, suggests that records will continue to fall.
Chepngetich’s achievement is particularly significant for Kenyan athletics, bringing the women’s marathon world record back to the country after it was held by Ethiopian and British athletes for years. Ndereba is proud of this accomplishment, viewing it not only as a personal victory for Chepngetich but also as a moment of pride for the entire nation.
Her optimism for the future extends beyond individual performances. She believes that Chepngetich’s sub-2:10 mark has opened the door to greater possibilities, inspiring other female athletes to aim for similar milestones. Just as Takahashi’s and Radcliffe’s records once inspired her, Ndereba hopes that Chepngetich’s success will serve as motivation for the next generation of marathon runners to dream big and strive for greatness.
The evolution of marathon running over the years demonstrates how the sport has transformed. Ndereba’s own experience is a testament to this, as she witnessed firsthand how records that once seemed unbreakable fell time and again. This progression underscores the relentless drive of athletes to challenge themselves and redefine what is possible.
In conclusion, Ndereba remains confident that Chepngetich’s record will withstand scrutiny and inspire future performances. The journey of marathon running, she believes, is a story of continuous improvement, fueled by passion, technology, and the determination of athletes to push beyond their limits. Far from being a one-time anomaly, Chepngetich’s achievement represents the next chapter in a long history of excellence in women’s marathon running. And just as records have fallen in the past, Ndereba fully expects that even faster times are on the horizon.
