World Marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich on why she struggled at Prisons Cross-Country

World Marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich surprised many when she finished fourth in the Athletics Kenya (AK) Prisons Cross Country held on Saturday 18 January in Ruiru.

She missed a podium finish after clocking 33:51 despite high expectations being placed on the 30-year-old's shoulder after her historic marathon feats with Loice Chemining dominating the race, winning in 33:09.

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Brillian Chepkorir and Lilian Odira took second and third places with times of 33:27 and 33:44, respectively.

In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, Chepng’etich revealed she had been unwell leading up to the event.

Things took a turn for the worse when she found herself unable to leave her bed on Friday morning as her body was wracked with pain that failed to relent. Despite that, she knew she could not afford to let it slow her down.

Being a Kenya Prisons officer meant pushing through challenges, and she was determined to fulfil her duty despite the odds.

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“I thank God for completing the race. I did not expect to complete the race because I was sick. On Friday, I struggled to wake up in the morning, but I had to do my best because this is work,” she said.

Chepng’etich disclosed that malaria had affected her performance but expressed optimism about her recovery.

“Malaria put me down, but I will get better,” she reassured her fans.

The spotlight on Chepng’etich was inevitable, given her groundbreaking achievements in recent months.

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In October 2024, she stunned the world at the Chicago Marathon, becoming the fastest woman of all time with a record-breaking 2:09:56.

This performance shattered Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa’s previous record of 2:11:53 by nearly two minutes and made Chepng’etich the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier.

Her fearless and aggressive running style has seen her dominate the Chicago Marathon, claiming victories in 2021, 2022, and 2024.

In 2020, she placed third in the elite-only London Marathon, and in 2024, she had a disappointing ninth-place finish in the same event.

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She is among the elite athletes in the 2025 London Marathon start list and it is a matter of wait-and-see if she will conquer.