VALENCIA, SPAIN – World 10km record holder Agnes Ngetich delivered a message of unwavering confidence to her supporters on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, following a heart-wrenching near-miss of the half marathon world record in Valencia, Spain. Despite falling short, the Kenyan phenom declared the record's capture is only a matter of time.

“It was so close yet so far. However, I can assure you it is coming home soon,” Ngetich stated after the race on Sunday, October 26. “It’s coming home soon, so don’t despair.”

Competing in the Valencia Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label road race, Ngetich retained her title with a blistering time of 1:03:08 EAT. This performance marked the third-fastest women's half marathon in history and the world-leading time for 2025. However, it was just 16 seconds shy of the world record of 1:02:52, set by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey on the same course in 2021.

A Battle Against the Elements

Ngetich ran a courageous race, pushing the pace from the outset. She was on track to break the world record through the 10km and 15km marks, which she passed in 29:18 and 44:36, respectively. At the 15km split, her projected finish was an astonishing 1:02:43. However, strong headwinds in the latter stages of the race thwarted her record-breaking ambitions.

“Last year, the rains wreaked havoc, but this year, strong headwinds in the second half of the race slowed me down,” Ngetich explained. Despite the challenging conditions, she finished more than two minutes ahead of her closest competitor, Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay, who clocked 1:05:11. Fellow Kenyans Veronica Loleo (1:05:46) and Gladys Chepkurui (1:06:58) secured third and fourth place, showcasing Kenya's formidable depth in the sport.

A Season of Dominance

This latest performance caps a remarkable year for the 24-year-old athlete. Her victory in Valencia is her third win in the city, following a previous half marathon win and her historic 10km world record run. On January 14, 2024, Ngetich stunned the athletics world by running 28:46 at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja, becoming the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier in a mixed-gender race. That time shattered the previous record by 28 seconds.

Furthermore, on April 26, 2025, she smashed the women-only 10km world record at the Adizero Road to Records event in Germany with a time of 29:27, making her the first woman to run under 30 minutes in that category. Her consistent, top-tier performances have led to her nomination for the World Athletics Out of Stadium Award, a testament to her incredible season.

Future Ambitions and Kenyan Pride

Ngetich has already set her sights on her next attempt at the half marathon world record, targeting the Lisbon Half Marathon on March 8, 2026. “I will take on the challenge in Lisbon, which is another fast course. I hope the weather will be more favourable,” she said.

Her near-miss in Valencia is not a story of failure but one of immense strength and promise. For Kenya, it underscores the nation's continued role as a powerhouse in global athletics. Ngetich’s journey is a source of national pride, embodying the resilience and determination that have become hallmarks of the country's elite runners. As she prepares for her next challenge, the nation watches with anticipation, confident that it is only a matter of time before another world record belongs to Kenya.