'Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce motivates me' - When Ruth Chepng’etich opened up about her inspiration & family sacrifices
Ruth Chepng’etich once stated that Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce inspired her journey, reflecting her motivations and record-breaking marathon achievements.
New women’s marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich has long been one of the most dominant forces in long-distance running.
From clinching the World Championship in 2019 to winning gold at the 2021 and 2022 Chicago Marathons, the Kenyan runner has proven her mettle time and again on the global stage.
Earlier this year, in an exclusive interview with Athletics Weekly, Chepng’etich opened up about her admiration for Jamaican sprinting legend Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce.
“Shelly Ann (Fraser-Pryce), she motivates me, inspires me, to do a lot. Shelly Ann, I think she started a long time ago, before me, so I'm following (in) her footsteps. Like her, I want to run for long, run smart, and fall and get up,” Chepng’etich shared.
Fraser-Pryce, widely regarded as one of the greatest sprinters of all time, has not only inspired Chepng’etich’s approach to competition but has also served as a role model for longevity in athletics.
Chepng’etich expressed a desire to emulate the sprinter's perseverance and adaptability, striving to push boundaries in her own discipline of marathon running.
The Kenyan champion also credited her family as a source of motivation, particularly her daughter.
“I think about my daughter, I am pushing so much because of my daughter. My daughter is motivating me to work harder. I have to work hard for her to study. Mothers have a lot to do, so it is not easy. Our children are motivating us to work harder. We want to show them the way in how life goes,” she added.
Chepng’etich’s remarkable journey reached new heights at this year’s Chicago Marathon, where she set a jaw-dropping world record time of 2:09:56, becoming the first woman ever to run a marathon in under 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Her incredible performance not only shattered the previous record of 2:11:53 held by Tigst Assefa but also firmly established her as one of the greatest marathon runners in history.
Reflecting on her world-record performance, Chepng’etich expressed both pride and a sense of accomplishment.
“I feel so great, I'm proud of myself. This is my dream that has come true. I've fought a lot, thinking about the world record, and I have fulfilled it,” she said after the race.
She attributed her success to meticulous preparation, favorable weather, and unwavering determination.
Chepng’etich dedicated her record-breaking run to the late Kelvin Kiptum, a fellow Kenyan marathoner who set a men's world record at the Chicago Marathon last year.
“The world record has come back to Kenya, and I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum,” she said.
Her achievement is awaiting ratification by World Athletics, but it has already resonated worldwide as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Kenyan runners.
Chepng’etich’s feat not only cements her legacy but also reinforces Kenya's stature as a powerhouse in distance running.
Her admiration for Fraser-Pryce and the motivation she draws from her daughter underscore her commitment to excellence both on and off the track.
posted Friday December 6th
by Festus Chuma