Kenyan Runner Misses out On Incredible Marathon Record by Seconds during Japan Race

• Ruth Chepngetich nearly smashed Mary Keitany's women’s-only world record during the Nagoya Marathon in Japan
• The World Marathon champion fell short of Keitany's record by just 17 seconds after she clocked 2:17:18 during the Sunday race
• Kenyan-born Israeli runner Lonah Chemtai Salpeter sealed a second-place finish in 2:18:44 ahead of Japan's Yuka Ando who finished third

Kenyan marathoner Ruth Chepngetich is the winner of the 2022 edition of Japan's Nagoya Women's Marathon.

Chepngetich was crowned the champion of the Sunday morning, March 13, event after clocking an impressive time of 2:17:18.

Ruth Chepngetich misses out on world record by a whisker

The time recorded by Chepngetich saw her miss out on the world record by just seconds.

Her fellow compatriot Mary Keitany remains the world marathon record holder after she posted 2:17:01 during the London Marathon.

At the time, Keitany's half marathon split of 1:06:54 was the fastest in marathon history, beating Radcliffe's record of 1:08:02 set in 2003.

Heavyweight broadcaster Robert Marawa, the voice of sports media in South Africa, celebrates 49th birthday

Boxing

The Kenyan went on to smash Radcliffe's overall women’s-only world record.

As such, Chepngetich came short of Keitany's world record by just 17 seconds but was still able to post the second-fastest marathon.

How Chepngetich inked her name in history books

The World Marathon champion set herself on course to inking her name in history books when she took the lead early on in the race and in the final 5km.

She was able to close hard in 6:56 to cut the tape in 2:17:18 ahead of Kenyan-born Israeli athlete Lonah Chemtai Salpeter who finished second in 2:18:44.

Yuka Ando of Japan completed the podium finish as she sealed a third-place finish with a time of 2:22.22.

Eliud Kipchoge conquers Tokyo

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Kenyans reigned supreme during the 2022 edition of the Tokyo Marathon as World record-holders Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei triumphed.

Kipchoge won the men's race in 2:02:40 to beat fellow countryman Amos Kipruto and Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola.

The time posted by the 37-year-old posted is now the third-fastest of his career and the fourth-fastest in history.