Agnes Jebet has set her sights on breaking the half marathon world record in 2025, following a disappointing miss at the Paris Olympics. The 10-kilometer world record holder is eager to continue making history in distance running, using her past setbacks as fuel for her ambitions.
After setting the women’s 10km world record with a time of 28:26 at the Valencia Ibercaja 10km race in Spain last year, Jebet is determined to add more accolades to her name. Her near miss at the half marathon world record in the same city, where she clocked 1:03:04, has only increased her hunger for success. With renewed motivation after recovering from the injury that kept her out of the Paris Games, she is fully focused on redemption.
“Breaking the world record and coming close to smashing the one for the half marathon was a huge motivation for me, considering I missed the Paris Olympics with an injury. That was my ultimate target, but I missed out. I still want more…I don’t want to stop at the 10km world record. I missed out on the world record for the half marathon, and I am motivated that I can do it,” Jebet said.
At 25, she remains at the peak of her career and is determined to make the most of it. She draws inspiration from Kenyan track legends Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet, who both secured gold medals at the Paris Olympics. Their success serves as a powerful reminder of what is possible with hard work and resilience.
“I am still pushing my limits…I am still working hard. I look up to stars like Faith (Kipyegon) and Beatrice (Chebet)…they really inspire me a lot,” Jebet added.
Jebet is set to begin her season on February 22 at the fourth edition of the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour in Eldoret. She sees this race as a crucial step in her buildup toward bigger competitions, including the Grand Slam and the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.
“It is just like a buildup because I am looking forward to Grand Slam and the World Championships in Tokyo. It has been a while since I last competed in cross country, and I am looking forward to running here (Lobo Village) in a week’s time,” she said.
Jebet’s return to competition is highly anticipated, as she has consistently demonstrated her ability to push boundaries in long-distance running. Her breakthrough in 2024 made her one of the standout athletes in road racing, and her performances this year will be closely watched.
With her talent, determination, and the drive to improve, 2025 could be the year she reaches new heights. If she succeeds in breaking the half marathon world record, it would further solidify her status as one of the most dominant distance runners of her generation. Her journey is a testament to resilience and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
As Jebet prepares to take on the best in the world, all eyes will be on her performances in the coming months. Will 2025 be the season where she achieves her biggest goals yet? With her mindset and dedication, the world could witness another historic moment in long-distance running.
