Marathon World Records (women's progression)
The current women's world record is held by Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya. She shocked the running world by smashing the record on October 13, 2024. Chepngetich finished the Chicago Marathon in 2 hours, 09 minutes, and 56 seconds, beating the previous record by nearly two minutes.
marathon runnersThe current men's marathon world record was set a the 2023 Chicago marathon Kelvin Kiptum from Kenya, set a new marathon world record with a time of two hours and 35 seconds, taking 34 seconds off the previous best.
Below is the women's marathon running world record evolution (the more recent best times listed first), showing only those times that have been officially listed by the IAAF.
| Time | Date | Athlete | Nationality | Marathon Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:09:56 | October 13, 2024 | Ruth Chepng'etich | Kenya | Chicago Marathon |
| 2:16:16 | April 21, 2024 | Peres Jepchirchir | Kenya | London Marathon |
| 2:11:53 | September 24, 2023 | Tigst Assefa | Ethiopia | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:14:04 | October 13, 2019 | Brigid Kosgei | Kenya | Chicago Marathon |
| 2:17:01 | April 23, 2017 | Mary Jepkosgei Keitany | Kenya | London Marathon |
| 2:17:42 | April 17, 2005 | Paula Radcliffe | Great Britain | London Marathon |
| 2:15:25 | April 13, 2003 | Paula Radcliffe | UK | London Marathon |
| 2:17:18 | October 13, 2002 | Paula Radcliffe | UK | Chicago Marathon |
| 2:18:47 | October 7, 2001 | Catherine Ndereba | Kenya | Chicago Marathon |
| 2:19:46 | September 30, 2001 | Naoko Takahashi | Japan | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:20:43 | September 26, 1999 | Tegla Loroupe | Kenya | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:20:47 | April 19, 1998 | Tegla Loroupe | Kenya | Rotterdam Marathon |
| 2:21:06 | April 21, 1985 | Ingrid Kristiansen | Norway | London Marathon |
| 2:24:26 | May 13, 1984 | Ingrid Kristiansen | Norway | London Marathon |
| 2:22:43 | April 18, 1983 | Joan Benoit | USA | Boston Marathon |
| 25:28.7 | April 17, 1983 | Grete Waitz | Norway | London Marathon |
| 2:26:12 | September 12, 1982 | Joan Benoit | USA | Nike OTC Marathon, Eugene, USA |
| 29:01.6 | January 16, 1982 | Charlotte Teske | West Germany | Miami, USA |
| 2:25:28 | October 25, 1981 | Allison Roe | New Zealand | New York City Marathon |
| 2:29:57 | March 29, 1981 | Joyce Smith | UK | London Marathon |
| 2:30:27 | November 16, 1980 | Joyce Smith | UK | Tokyo, Japan |
| 25:41.3 | October 26, 1980 | Grete Waitz | Norway | New York City Marathon |
| 30:57.1 | September 6, 1980 | Patti Catalano | USA | Montreal, Canada |
| 2:31:23 | February 3, 1980 | Joan Benoit | USA | Auckland, New Zealand |
| 27:32.6 | October 21, 1979 | Grete Waitz | Norway | New York City Marathon |
| 32:29.8 | October 22, 1978 | Grete Waitz | Norway | New York City Marathon |
| 34:47.5 | September 10, 1977 | Christa Vahlensieck | West Germany | Berlin Marathon |
| 35:15.4 | May 1, 1977 | Chantal Langlacé | France | Oiartzun, Spain |
| 2:38:19 | October 12, 1975 | Jacqueline Hansen | USA | Nike OTC Marathon, Eugene, USA |
| 40:15.8 | May 3, 1975 | Christa Vahlensieck | West Germany | Dülmen |
| 2:42:24 | April 21, 1975 | Liane Winter | West Germany | Boston Marathon |
| 43:54.5 | December 1, 1974 | Jacqueline Hansen | USA | Culver City, USA |
| 2:46:24 | October 27, 1974 | Chantal Langlacé | France | Neuf-Brisach, France |
| 2:46:36 | December 2, 1973 | Michiko Gorman | USA | Culver City, USA |
| 2:49:40 | December 5, 1971 | Cheryl Bridges | USA | Culver City, USA |
| 2:55:22 | September 19, 1971 | Elizabeth Bonner | USA | New York City Marathon |
| 3:01:42 | May 9, 1971 | Elizabeth Bonner | USA | Philadelphia, USA |
| 3:02:53 | February 28, 1970 | Caroline Walker | USA | Seaside, OR |
| 07:27.2 | September 16, 1967 | Anni Pede-Erdkamp | West Germany | Waldniel, West Germany |
| 3:14:23 | May 6, 1967 | Maureen Wilton | Canada | Toronto, Canada |
| 3:19:33 | July 21, 1964 | Mildred Sampson | New Zealand | Auckland, New Zealand |
| 3:27:45 | May 23, 1964 | Dale Greig | UK | Ryde |
| 3:37:07 | December 16, 1963 | Merry Lepper | USA | Culver City, USA |
| 3:40:22 | October 3, 1926 | Violet Piercy | UK | London |
Related Pages
- About Marathon World Records
- Men's marathon record progression
- Major marathon races from around the world
- More Athletics Records
- Poll: Which record time will be broken next—100m or marathon?
- Sub 2-hour marathon blog post
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