In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Ruth Chepngetich won the October 2024 LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month after setting a new marathon record of 2:09:56 at the Chicago Marathon.
- Competing against top nominees, Chepngetich also earned recognition as the first woman to finish a marathon in under two hours and 10 minutes and was nominated for Women’s World Athlete of the Year.
Ruth Chepngetich has been honored as the LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month (SPOM) for October 2024, following her record-breaking run at the 46th Chicago Marathon on October 13.
Chepngetich set a new world record of 2:09:56, surpassing the previous 2:11:53 mark held by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa by nearly two minutes.
Arriving with a personal best of 2:14:18, Chepngetich made history as the first woman to complete a marathon in under two hours and 10 minutes.
Additionally, she became the first woman to claim three Chicago Marathon titles and has now been nominated for the Women’s World Athlete of the Year award.
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This recognition marks Chepngetich’s third SPOM win, with previous titles in April 2021 and March 2022.
She outshone a strong field of nominees, including Harambee Junior Starlets striker Lorna Faith Wasike, who excelled as Player of the Match in Kenya’s stunning 2-1 victory over Mexico at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
Other contenders featured Albania-based midfielder Kevin Wangaya, Spanish Nastic Academy forward Aldrine Kibet, Kakamega Homeboyz goalkeeper Ibrahim Wanzala, and AFC Leopards winger Hassan Beja.
Also nominated were Kenya Sevens stars Patrick Odongo and Ben Salem for their role in defending the Safari Sevens title, as well as athletes from diverse sports such as cricket and cross-country.
At the awards ceremony, LG Electronics EA Managing Director Dong Wan Lee celebrated Chepngetich’s achievement alongside Kenya’s talented nominees, commending their contribution to the country’s athletic pride.
SJAK President James Waindi also praised Chepngetich, expressing pride in Kenya’s dual marathon world records for both men and women.