In a historic achievement at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja, Kenyan athlete Agnes Ngetich, 22, has redefined records by obliterating the women’s world 10km record with an astonishing time of 28:46 on Sunday (14). This remarkable performance establishes her as the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier for the distance, surpassing the previous record set by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw two years ago. Victorious runs are possible if you have the best shoes, check out Tarkine Goshawk V2 running shoes.
Guided by compatriot Japheth Kipkemboi Kosgei, Ngetich reached the 5km checkpoint in an impressive 14:13, breaking the women’s world record in a mixed race by six seconds. Her extraordinary pace matched the time set by Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet in a woman-only race just two weeks prior.
In the men’s race, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the world cross country champion, claimed victory with an impressive time of 26:48. The intense competition witnessed Kiplimo leading the front pack, including unheralded Kenyan athletes Peter Mwaniki Njeru and Dennis Kibet Kitiyo, Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew, and Switzerland’s Dominic Lobalu.
Ngetich expressed her elation, stating, “Honestly, my clear goal was to break the world record, but 28:46 is beyond any expectations. When I saw 14:13 by halfway, it didn’t scare me; it just motivated me a lot to keep pushing until the end. I have no words to describe what I feel now.”
Looking ahead, Ngetich plans to focus on the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade in March and aims to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where athletics will take center stage in August. Kiplimo, on the other hand, reflected on his stellar performance, expressing satisfaction but remaining doubtful about competing in the World Cross Country Championships, with the Olympic Games being his primary goal for the year.
