Chepngetich eyes another talking point at Lisbon 21km race

The women’s half marathon world record faces a major threat next month when Ruth Chepngetich, the first woman to run 42km under 2:10 stomps the streets of Lisbon.

Organisers of the March 9 Lisbon Half Marathon event confirmed yesterday that Chepngetich, who shattered the women’s marathon record last October in Chicago, will lead a stellar field assembled purely for history-making.

Chepngetich takes to the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon the most impressive resume and might be using the contest to fire warning shots ahead of the 2025 Tokyo World Championships set for September.

The 2019 World marathon champion had not made the Kenyan marathon squad to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

With 2:09:56 world record as well as a world title and three Chicago Marathon titles to boot, Chepngetich could threaten not only the 1:05:30 Lisbon Half Marathon course record but the 1:02:52 fastest mark held by Ethiopia’s Letesnbet Gidey.

Remember, Chepngetich previously held the women’s half marathon world record of 1:04:02 from April to August 2021 before it was smashed by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf  Yehualaw.

“The Maratona Clube de Portugal is pleased to announce the participation of Kenyan athlete Ruth Chepngetich as the headline star of the 2025 edition of the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, set to take place on March 9,” organisers of the showpiece said.

They said the 30-year-old superstar, and the greatest names in global athletics were excited about her return to Portugal.

"I am thrilled to announce that I will be running the Lisbon Half Marathon on March 9. I can't wait. See you soon, Lisbon!" Chepngetich was quoted by organisers of the Lisbon Half Marathon.

Carlos Moia, president of the Maratona Clube de Portugal said participation of athletes of Chepngetich’s stature had huge significance in the event.

"The presence of the best athletes in the sport (athletics) here in Lisbon confirms our event’s prestige on the international calendar," Moia said.

Apart from her Chicago victories in 2021, 2022, and 2024, the world record holder boasts of Nagoya (2022 and 2023), Dubai (2019), and Istanbul (2018) marathons titles.

She is also the sixth-fastest woman of all time of 1:04:02 in the half marathon from 2021 Istanbul 21km race.

“She is expected to pose a strong challenge to the Lisbon course record of 1:05:30, set by Almaz Ayana in 2023,” a statement by organisers read in part.

“In the coming weeks, more elite names will be announced for the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, which this year will also host Portugal’s National Half Marathon Championship, bringing together the country’s best athletes.”

The 2024 Lisbon Half marathon ended with strong talking points, particularly in the women’s category. Former women’s marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei stamped authority in her category.

The double London Marathon champion missed the Lisbon 21km course record but still oozed class.

She timed 1:05:51 to finish first ahead of Ethiopian Bosena Mulatie (1:09:00) and compatriot Tigist Mengistu (1:09:14) who came in second and third respectively.

The former world marathon record holder stepped onto the lead just after the halfway mark and sustained the momentum to the finish line, beating Mengistu by three minutes.