Chepngetich plans Olympic marathon

World record in Istanbul!

Ruth Chepngetich smashes the world half marathon record in 1:04:02. pic.twitter.com/qQ7HC0LZM1

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) April 4, 2021

The new world record by Ruth Cheonegetich is outstanding. The amateur coverage of the event, done by a crew that seems not to understand what sport was being covered shows once again that women’s athletics is not getting the coverage it deserves.

Chepngetich plans Olympic marathon

Congratulations Ruth Chepngetich on breaking the Women’s Half Marathon World Record in Istanbul.

Your victory is a reminder to the world that indeed Kenya is a distance running powerhouse. Thank you for once again flying our flag high. We are proud of you.

Hongera! pic.twitter.com/us5flIJBz9

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) April 4, 2021

ISTANBUL (TUR): Fresh World Half Marathon record holder Ruth Chepngetich has as her next goal the Olympic marathon in Sapporo in August. The World champion from 2019 at age of 26 years completed so far six marathons. The best is 2:17:08 from Dubai 2019. “She might run another half marathon before that,” says her agent Federico Rosa. Another top Kenyan result from Istanbul on Sunday was the best ever debut at the distance by Hellen Obiri. For this year she still plans to compete on the track at Olympic Games with possible 5000/10 000 m double. But the future of 31-years old Obiri might be on the roads. Interestingly she started her international career running the 1500 m at the World Championships 2011 in Daegu. She was also named one of the top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine.

Between the camera crew missing Beatrice Chepkoech’s 5K world record in February and the English language commentator not realizing Ruth Chepngetich set a half marathon WR today, the sport is really shooting itself in the foot with poor coverage, especially on the women’s side.

— Fast Women (@fast_women) April 4, 2021