Women’s London Marathon Record

The 2024 TCS London Marathon, held on April 21, 2024, was a historic event for women’s marathon running, with Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya breaking the women-only world record. Jepchirchir finished the marathon in an incredible time of 2:16:16, surpassing the previous record of 2:17:01 set by fellow Kenyan, Mary Keitany, in 2017.

The Significance of the Record

Jepchirchir’s achievement has etched her name into the annals of marathon history. This wasn’t just a personal victory but also a landmark moment for women’s distance running. The London Marathon has long been a prestigious stage for world-class performances, and Jepchirchir’s record-breaking run in 2024 reaffirmed the event’s status as a premier venue for elite competition.

A Historic Race for Women

The 2024 race featured one of the most competitive fields in the history of the London Marathon. Not only did Jepchirchir set a new women-only world record, but three other runners finished with astonishing times, each under the previous record:

• Peres Jepchirchir: 2:16:16 (Winner, new women-only world record)
• Tigst Assefa: 2:16:23 (Second place)
• Joyciline Jepkosgei: 2:16:24 (Third place)
• Yalemzerf Yehualaw: 2:16:27 (Fourth place)

This marked the first time in history that four women finished a marathon in under 2 hours and 17 minutes, making the 2024 London Marathon one of the fastest and most memorable women’s races ever.

A Legacy of Kenyan Dominance

Kenyan runners have long been dominant in the marathon, and Jepchirchir’s 2024 victory continued this legacy. Kenya’s consistent success in distance running is a testament to the country’s rich tradition of producing world-class athletes. Jepchirchir, already an Olympic gold medalist and two-time New York Marathon winner, added another significant title to her collection with this London win.

What This Means for Women’s Marathon Running

Jepchirchir’s performance in London not only solidified her status as one of the greatest marathoners of her generation but also raised the bar for future races. With women’s marathon times steadily improving, it’s clear that the gap between men’s and women’s performances continues to narrow, especially as advancements in training, nutrition, and race strategy evolve.

The 2024 London Marathon proved that women’s distance running is experiencing a golden era, with top athletes pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Peres Jepchirchir’s world record is likely to inspire a new generation of runners to aim for even faster times in the years to come.

In addition to the celebration of Jepchirchir’s record-breaking run, the 2024 race served as a showcase for the power of competition, resilience, and sportsmanship, highlighting the tremendous strides women have made in marathon running.