Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich is set to pocket millions after breaking the world record at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.
Running a historic 2:09:57, Chepng’etich shattered the previous world record of 2:11:53 set by Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa in the Berlin Marathon last September.
The new world record holder becomes the first woman to ever run under sub 2:10.
However, her extraordinary performance has not only won her glory and cemented her legacy as one of the greatest marathoners but also positioned her for a significant financial gain.
Chepng’etich’s triumph at the Chicago Marathon will see her earn a substantial cash prize accompanied with additional bonuses from the marathon sponsors.
Routinely, the Chicago Marathon awards its top finishers with a whooping cash prize of Sh12.9 million (Usd100,000).
The prize money becomes heftier for athletes who break the world records with varying bonuses being awarded depending on the marathon.
The Chicago Marathon awards its competitors a Sh6.5 million (Usd50,000) bonus for any new course record set in both the men's and women's categories.
After clinching the top spot and setting a new world record, Chepng’etich is set to pocket Sh19.3 million (Usd150,000) before taxes.
Kenya’s John Korir joins Chepng’etich in the prize money category pocketing Usd100,000, Sh12.9 million (Usd100,000) after achieving greatness in the men’s race at the Chicago marathon.
Chepng’etich who has won the Chicago marathon in 2021 and 2022, and came second in 2023 is now ranked first all-time women’s marathoner after breaking the record in this year’s Chicago marathon.
