The 10 Fastest Women's Marathon Runners in History
A breakdown of the absolute fastest women to ever run 26.2 miles, based strictly on the World Athletics All-Time Toplists.
· 7 min read · Race Spotlights
The progression of the women's marathon world record over the last few years has been nothing short of explosive. We are witnessing an absolute golden age of distance running, where "untouchable" legacy records are being shattered by entire lead packs.
Here are the 10 fastest women to ever cover 26.2 miles in a sanctioned race.
1. Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) – 2:09:56 **When & Where:** Chicago Marathon, 2024
Ruth Chepngetich achieved what many believed was biologically impossible for another decade, shattering the 2:10 barrier with an otherworldly 2:09:56 in Chicago. Famous for her aggressive front-running, she held on to a blistering pace from the gun, securing the title of the fastest woman in history by a staggering margin.
2. Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia) – 2:10:51 **When & Where:** Barcelona Marathon, 2026
Tesfay exploded onto the all-time list with an incredibly fast 2:10:51 in Barcelona. She capitalized on the perfectly flat Spanish course to run a time that would have comfortably been a world record just a few years prior, solidifying the new era of sub-2:11 female marathoners.
3. Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia) – 2:11:53 **When & Where:** Berlin Marathon, 2023
What Tigst Assefa did in Berlin completely redefined the boundaries of female endurance. Wearing the ultra-lightweight Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, she initially slashed more than two minutes off the previous record. Her second half of the race was run at a pace that left historical analysts completely stunned.
4. Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) – 2:13:44 **When & Where:** Chicago Marathon, 2023
There is no one in the sport quite like Sifan Hassan. A track Olympic medalist in the 1500m, 5000m, and 10000m, she stepped up to the marathon and immediately became a dominant force. Her range is unprecedented, and her 2:13:44 in Chicago proved she can out-kick anyone in the final miles.
5. Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) – 2:14:00 **When & Where:** Valencia Marathon, 2025
Jepkosgei added to her illustrious career with a masterclass 2:14:00 finish in Valencia. Always a tactical threat on flat courses, she executed her race strategy perfectly to punch her ticket into the top 5 of the all-time fastest marathoners.
6. Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) – 2:14:04 **When & Where:** Chicago Marathon, 2019
Before the super-shoe wars hit peak velocity, Brigid Kosgei ran 2:14:04 in Chicago, finally devastating Paula Radcliffe's 16-year-old world record. Her performance fundamentally changed the calculus for elite women's marathon pacing, proving that sub-2:15 was consistently possible.
7. Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya) – 2:14:43 **When & Where:** Valencia Marathon, 2025
Jepchirchir is an Olympic Gold Medalist and a relentless competitor. Running 2:14:43 in the blisteringly fast Valencia Marathon, she proved once again that she is one of the most consistent and fiercely competitive racers of this generation.
8. Hawi Feysa (Ethiopia) – 2:14:57 **When & Where:** Chicago Marathon, 2025
Feysa took full advantage of the flat Chicago course to break the 2:15 barrier. Her brilliant performance continues Ethiopia's dominant presence in the top 10 and signals her arrival as a major championship contender.
9. Amane Beriso Shankule (Ethiopia) – 2:14:58 **When & Where:** Valencia Marathon, 2022
Beriso shocked the world in Valencia when she accelerated away from Letesenbet Gidey (who was making an incredibly hyped marathon debut). Winning in 2:14:58 vaulted Beriso into the ultra-exclusive sub-2:15 club and established her as a global threat.
10. Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain) – 2:15:25 **When & Where:** London Marathon, 2003
The fact that Paula Radcliffe's 2003 time remains at #10 on the all-time list today is a testament to how insanely far ahead of her time she was. She ran 2:15:25 long before the invention of carbon-plated super shoes, relying purely on legendary biomechanics and a brutally high pain tolerance.