VALENCIA, Spain -- Kenyan runner Agnes Ngetich broke the 10-kilometer world record on Sunday, shaving 28 seconds off the previous mark and becoming the first woman to run the distance in under 29 minutes.
Ngetich crossed the line in 28 minutes, 46 seconds, in Valencia, Spain.
That bettered the previous road mixed race world record -- set by Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw in the Spanish coastal city of Castellon two years ago -- by 28 seconds.
Governing body World Athletics said the time is also faster than the women's WR for the distance on the track, held by Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey with 29:01.03.
Hoy estamos muy felices 🔥
— 10K Valencia Ibercaja (@10KValencia) January 14, 2024
WORLD RECORD! 👏🏼🏆 pic.twitter.com/rT5flIEkM6
"To go under 29 minutes ... I didn't expect to do this time," Ngetich said. "The course is awesome. I came with the goal of improving my personal best."
Ngetich, the 22-year-old world cross country championships 2023 team gold medalist, had previously set the 10-kilometer world record in a women-only race in September with a time of 29:24.
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo won the men's race in Valencia with a time of 26:48.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.