Agnes Ng’etich who inspired her before historic half-marathon world record break
By Luke Oluoch, September 21, 2026New half-marathon women-only world record holder Agnes Ngetich has broken her silence after her latest feat of dominating the field to add another gold to her stellar athletic career.
The Kenyan distance athlete set a women-only world record of 1:05:15 at the Copenhagen Half Marathon. Ngetich started 2026 by claiming her first global title at the World Cross Country Championships, winning by a massive 42 seconds.
Her impressive season culminated in her becoming a two-time world champion after taking the half-marathon title at the World Road Running Championships on Sunday, September 20, 2026. She finished 50 seconds ahead of her competitors to set the women-only world record of 1:05:15.
Motivation
“I was running this race for my mom. So I’m very happy and very grateful to now hold the world half marathon record too. And at the same time to be world cross-country champion,” she opined.
“I did not expect to run a world record. I was just coming here for a medal and wanted to close the season in a good way. I am so glad I did it and managed to push alone from 1K to the last kilometre. And then, a world record! I’m so happy.”
Not resting yet
Now with three records to her name—including marks for the 10km in both mixed and women-only races—the athlete is not yet resting on her laurels.
“I am going to discuss with my coach what is next for me. But I know I am coming back to the track races for 2027; there is a world championship. It is my dream to win gold in the track races, the only medal I am missing.”
Her achievement elicited massive plaudits, with Barnaba Bii, the Chairman of Youth Development at Athletics Kenya and the World Athletics Continental Tour Nairobi Director, among those to hail the star.
The Sports Cabinet Secretary and his Principal Secretary also hailed the feat as an important milestone for Kenyan athletics.
Ngetich was instrumental in driving Kenya’s medal count at the championships, as Team Kenya’s depth and dominance in distance running saw the nation garner seven medals, including three gold, three silver, and one bronze.