Agnes Ngetich Smashes Women-Only 10km World Record at Adizero Road to Records
Kenya's Agnes Ngetich delivered a groundbreaking performance at the Adizero Road to Records meet in Herzogenaurach today, smashing the women-only 10km world record with a sensational time of 29:27. In doing so, Ngetich became the first woman to dip under the 30-minute barrier in a women-only 10km road race, rewriting history and cementing her status as one of the greatest road runners of her generation.
Setting a swift tempo from the gun, Ngetich covered the opening two kilometres with explosive pace before settling into a metronomic 2:57/km rhythm. She reached halfway in 14:37, well ahead of world record pace and on track to eclipse the 30:01 mark set by the late Agnes Jebet Tirop in 2021.
Although her pace dropped slightly in the second half, Ngetich maintained remarkable consistency, covering each remaining kilometre inside three minutes. Running well clear of her competition, she crossed the finish line in a historic 29:27, splitting her second 5km in 14:50 to complete a masterpiece of pacing and grit.
Women's 10km Leading Results:
10km
1. Agnes Ngetich (KEN) 29:27 World Record
2. Fentaye Belayneh (ETH) 30:30
3. Senayet Getachew (ETH) 30:31
Already the holder of the mixed-gender 10km world record with her 28:46 run in Valencia earlier this year, the 24-year-old Ngetich continues to push the limits of women's road running. Her latest triumph follows a bronze medal at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships and multiple standout performances on the global stage.
Other Highlights in Herzogenaurach
Birhanu Balew of Bahrain won the Adizero Road to Records 10K with a Bahraini national record of 26:54, edging Ethiopia’s Gemechu Dida Diriba ???????? and Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera, who both also clocked 26:54.
On a thrilling day of racing, Emmanuel Wanyonyi unleashed a spectacular final kick to win the men's mile in a Kenyan record 3:52.45, moving to third on the world all-time list. World road mile champion Hobbs Kessler finished second with a personal best 3:54.34, edging out compatriot Nico Young (3:54.50) in a fierce sprint to the line.
In the men’s 5km, Ethiopian star Yomif Kejelcha came tantalizingly close to the world record, clocking 12:54 — just five seconds shy — to secure a dominant victory nine seconds ahead of rising talent Andrew Alamisi.
The women’s 5km also produced fireworks as Medina Eisa continued her winning tradition in Herzogenaurach, claiming her third title in 14:48 after a thrilling battle with compatriots Fotyen Tesfay (14:50) and Gela Hambese (14:51).
In the women’s mile, Nelly Chepchirchir successfully defended her crown, slicing seven seconds off her personal best with a confident 4:23 performance — a satisfying redemption after narrowly missing the podium at the 2023 World Road Running Championships.
