Jeptum breaks women’s record at Paris marathon

Kenya’s Judith Jeptum broke the Paris marathon record after finishing the 42.2-kilometer (26.2-mile) race in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 48 seconds in chilly conditions with a temperature of 2 degrees Celsius (36 degrees Fahrenheit) at the start of the event.

The 2021 Abu Dhabi marathon winner pulled away in the 28th kilometer to run a personal best and break the course record of 2:20:55 set by Purity Rionoripo of Kenya in 2017.

“The conditions were tough but I’m happy with what I did today,” Jeptum said.

🇰🇪 Judith JEPTUM remporte le Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris 2022 et bat le record de l’épreuve en 2h 19min 48s !

🇰🇪 Judith JEPTUM wins the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris 2022 and marks a new record in the race in 2h 19min 48s !#ParisMarathon pic.twitter.com/qV2M2rR6QW

— Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris (@parismarathon) April 3, 2022

Jeptum was in a league of her own, surging ahead of her rivals before the 30km mark and never looked back as she beat the previous best Paris mark set by compatriot Purity Rionoripo in 2017 by 67 seconds.

Ethiopians Fantu Jimma and Besu Sado were second and third respectively, more than three minutes off the pace.

In the men’s race, Gelmisa outsprinted fellow countryman and 2021 Chicago marathon winner Seifu Tura to finish in 2:05:07.

Frenchman Morhad Amdouni, the 2018 European champion in the 10,000 meters, took third place in 2:05:22 to break the French record set by Benoit Zwierzchiewski in 2003.

The fastest man in the field, Asefa Mengstu of Ethiopia, finished 10th, more than three minutes behind Gelmisa.

Swiss runner Julien Wanders, the European record holder for the half marathon, was 18th in his marathon debut.

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