Ethiopian runner Yalemzerf Yehualaw set a new world record for a women’s 10km by winning the Marató bp Castelló mixed race in Castellón de la Plana, Spain, on Sunday.
Yehualaw completed the race in a time of 29:14 which is 24 seconds quicker than the previous mark set by Ethiopia-born Bahraini Kalkidan Gezahegne at The Giants Geneva 10K in October last year.
Gezahegne’s record is yet to be ratified but Yehualaw still bettered the ratified record of 29:43 by Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei of 29:43 set in 2017.
According to World Athletics, Yehualaw’s record is also still subject to the usual ratification procedure.
The 22-year-old also became the first woman in history to run under the 29:30 and 29:20 barriers on the roads.
The Kenyan duo of Houston Half Marathon Vicoty Chepngeno and former world 5000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono finished in second and third, respectively, in times of 30:14 and 30:48.
Yehualaw, who had previously gone close on a number of occasions to breaking world records, said she believed she had what it takes to write her name in the history books.
““I knew I had the world record in my legs and wanted to produce a challenging performance for any athletes who may attempt the record in the near future.”
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Ronald Kwemoi in a course record of 27:16 ahead of compatriot Samwel Chebolei in 27:18 while Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele came in third in 27:20.
(Story compiled with assistance from wire reports)
