The new world record-holder in the women’s-only marathon reflects on her London victory, admitting she is still struggling to wrap her head around it
Peres Jepchirchir made history at the London Marathon last week as she sprinted clear of three rivals to claim the women’s-only world record of 2:16:16 – breaking the 2:17:01 Kenya’s Mary Keitany ran in London 2017.
The 30-year-old made a definitive move to win as she left Tigist Assefa, who smashed the overall women’s world record when she ran 2:11:38 last year, with 600m left to go – smashing her PB by exactly one minute.
In 2023 the Kenyan finished third in London, behind Alemu Megertu and Sifan Hassan, who did not return to defend her title.
However, it has not been an easy ride to victory for Jepchirchir as she was forced to pull out of the New York City Marathon last year due to an injury, making her win in London that bit more special.
Speaking at the fourth edition of the adizero Road To Records event in Germany, the adidas athlete revealed she takes her marathon preparations slightly differently to others. She mentioned that unlike many, she refuses from eating anything on the morning of a race.
After her historic win in London, Jepchirchir now focuses her attention on making the Kenyan Olympic team, which is due to be announced in coming days.
Her strong return, alongside being an Olympic champion, makes it almost impossible for the distance runner not to be selected.
Jepchirchir spoke at the Road To Records Event below:
Peres Jepchirchir (Getty)
How do you feel after your win?
I am so happy and I feel so grateful to celebrate my win in London and my new world record. I am happy, despite the pain in the legs.
It is not easy for yourself to accept that you are the winner. It has took me a lot of time to understand myself because I was still in a dilemma, thinking ‘was that me? did I win? did I break the record?’
I was so exhausted afterwards so it has taken a lot of time for me to sleep. I am happy, I am tired and you have so many people trying to call you and it is hard with all the missed messages.
And even up until now I am still thinking, “It’s me Peres, I’ve done it.”
When did you realise that you were going to win London Marathon?
By the time I was at the 40km mark I knew I was going to win it. For me I didn’t run it at the front the whole way, I just ran behind and I felt very relaxed.
If you remember last year in London I was in front from 25km until near the…
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