World Records — Marathon Women

The Marathon Women world record stands at 2:09:56, set by Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) in 2024. Explore its full progression through athletics history.

Record progression

Mark over the years. The higher the curve, the better the record.

2:46:404:10:005:33:201920194019601980200020205:40:00 · Ledru2:09:56 · Chepngetich

Record History

2024Ruth ChepngetichCurrentKEN—Oct 13, 2024Chicago, United StatesOngoing2:09:56-117.00s
2023Tigst AssefaETH—Sep 24, 2023Berlin13 months2:11:53-131.00s
2019Brigid KosgeiKEN—Oct 13, 2019Chicago3.9 years2:14:04-81.00s
2003Paula RadcliffeGBR—Apr 13, 2003London16.5 years2:15:25-113.00s
2002Paula RadcliffeGBR—Oct 13, 2002Chicago Marathon6 months2:17:18-89.00s
2001Catherine NderebaKEN—Oct 7, 2001Chicago Marathon12 months2:18:47-59.00s
2001Naoko TakahashiJPN—Sep 30, 2001Berlin Marathon7 d2:19:46-57.00s
1999Tegla LoroupeKEN—Sep 26, 1999Berlin Marathon2 years2:20:43-4.00s
1998Tegla LoroupeKEN—Apr 19, 1998Rotterdam Marathon17 months2:20:47-19.00s
1985Ingrid KristiansenNOR—Apr 21, 1985London Marathon13 years2:21:06-97.00s
1983Joan BenoitUSA—Apr 18, 1983Boston Marathon2 years2:22:43-165.00s
1981Allison RoeNZL—Oct 25, 1981New York City Marathon18 months2:25:28-13.30s
1980Grete WaitzNOR—Oct 26, 1980New York City Marathon12 months2:25:41.3-111.30s
1979Grete WaitzNOR—Oct 21, 1979New York City Marathon12 months2:27:32.6-297.20s
1978Grete WaitzNOR—Oct 22, 1978New York City Marathon12 months2:32:29.8-137.70s
1977Christa VahlensieckGER—Sep 10, 1977Berlin Marathon13 months2:34:47.5-27.90s
1977Chantal LanglacéFRA—May 1, 1977Oiartzun, Spain4 months2:35:15.4-183.60s
1975Jacqueline HansenUSA—Oct 12, 1975Nike OTC Marathon, Eugene, United States19 months2:38:19-116.80s
1975Christa VahlensieckGER—May 3, 1975Dülmen5 months2:40:15.8-128.20s
1975Liane WinterFRG—Apr 21, 1975Boston Marathon12 d2:42:24-90.50s
1974Jacqueline HansenUSA—Dec 1, 1974Culver City, United States5 months2:43:54.5-149.50s
1974Chantal LanglacéFRA—Oct 27, 1974Neuf-Brisach, France35 d2:46:24-12.00s
1973Michiko GormanUSA—Dec 2, 1973Culver City, United States11 months2:46:36-184.00s
1971Cheryl BridgesUSA—Dec 5, 1971Culver City, United States24 months2:49:40-342.00s
1971Elizabeth BonnerUSA—Sep 19, 1971New York City Marathon3 months2:55:22-380.00s
1971Elizabeth BonnerUSA—May 9, 1971Philadelphia, United States4 months3:01:42-71.00s
1970Caroline WalkerUSA—Feb 28, 1970Seaside, OR14 months3:02:53-274.20s
1967Anni Pede-ErdkampGER—Sep 16, 1967Waldniel, West Germany2.5 years3:07:27.2-415.80s
1967Maureen WiltonCAN—May 6, 1967Toronto, Canada4 months3:14:23-310.00s
1964Mildred SampsonNZL—Jul 21, 1964Auckland2.8 years3:19:33-492.00s
1964Dale GreigGBR—May 23, 1964Ryde59 d3:27:45-562.00s
1963Merry LepperUSA—Dec 16, 1963Culver City5 months3:37:07-195.00s
1926Violet PiercyGBR—Oct 3, 1926London[nb 7]37.2 years3:40:22-7178.00s
1918Marie-Louise LedruFRA—Sep 29, 1918Tour de Paris Marathon8 years5:40:00—
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) holds the Marathon Women world record with 2:09:56, set on October 13, 2024 in Chicago, United States.

Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia) held it with 2:11:53, from September 24, 2023 until October 13, 2024 (1 years).

Elite Trackr's progression lists 33 improvements since 1918, when Marie-Louise Ledru set 5:40:00.