Newly crowned World 10km and 5km record holder Agnes Jebet Ng’etch dedicated her record to her mother Veronica Cheruto.
Ngetich broke the 5km world record time clocking 14:25 before finishing the race in another record of 29:24 during the 10km at the Brasov Running Festival in Romania and on Thursday she was received in World Record Party, said that her mother, coach Ruth Bundotich and the management played a critical role in ensuring her success.
“My mother and coach have been a pillar in my career and that is why I am dedicating my world record to them,” said Ngetich who broke the previous record held by the late Agnes Jebet Tirop of 30:01 recorded at the Roads to Records in Germany in 2021.
The reigning world cross country bronze medalist said that she started her season on a good note with the bronze at the Bathurst world cross country then ending with a world record.
“I must admit that I had a good start and end well. I started with the world cross country, winning a bronze, went to Budapest for world championships in position 6th and closing the season with a world record. This was good,” said the two time East Africa 1,500m and 3,000m champion.
She reiterated that going to the race, she expected her personal best of 30:01 or 30:02 or a course record but ended up with a surprise world record.
“For anybody who cheered me from across the world, I thank God for that milestone I achieved. The race was not that tough so I wanted to do something else,” she said.
Her coach Bundotich said that she has been her mother in sports since she was in class 7 at 12 years old.
“I found her when she was 12 years old during school games when she lost to win 5,000m after falling since she was leading. I went and picked her up. Since then, she has been living with us in my home and now she is in another class,” said the coach, adding that she has never missed competing at the nationals.
In Australia, Bundotich said that she almost finished in position 4. “I prayed for her, asking God if Agnes was born position 4 but managed bronze and gave her the flag.”
Ngetich followed by Catherine Reline emerged second after timing 30:14 while Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek settled for third place in 30:34