22-year-old Agnes Ngetich has spoken after her breathtaking run that saw her break the 10km world record at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja.
Agnes Jebet Ngetich made history in the streets of Valencia after becoming the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier in the 10km after clocking 28:46 at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja, a World Athletics Label road race, on Sunday, January 14.
The 22-year-old athlete took 28 seconds off Yalemzerf Yehualaw’s world record of 29:14, which she set in Castellon, Spain, back in 2022.
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The World cross-country bronze medallist was paced in the Spanish coastal city by her compatriot Japheth Kipkemboi Kosgei. The first world record fell halfway as Ngetich went through the 5km checkpoint in 14:13.
12:21 - 14.01.2024
ATHLETICS Agnes Jebet Ngetich dazzles with a world record in Valencia
Agnes Jebet Ngetich put up a good fight to claim the top prize and completely obliterate the 10km world record at the 10K Valencia on Sunday
In a post-race interview, Ngetich said: "I am so happy. I didn't expect this world record. I was coming to improve my time, at least somewhere around 29:14, but I am happy that I ran a world record of 28 minutes. I didn't expect this."
Ngetich will now focus on the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia in March and then to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, the women’s race saw more than 10 women gather and take on the tough course with the hope of making an impact. The youngster had already made it clear that she was going for the world record.
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The race saw Ngetich and Emmaculate Anyango, her closest challenger stick together throughout the race with the former looking very comfortable to go for the top prize.
After the 22nd minute, Ngetich dropped Anyango and was now running alone with the aid of pacemakers who were doing a good job propelling her to world record glory.
With the finish line in sight, Ngetich was sprinting to the finish line and she managed to successfully obliterate the Ethiopian's world record. The Kenyan clocked 28:46 to finish first ahead of Anyango who clocked 28:57.