Which athlete holds the women’s world record for the marathon?

Tigst Assefa

Tigst Assefa's journey to becoming the marathon world record holder is a tale of resilience and transformation. Originally a middle-distance runner, Assefa competed in the 800 meters at the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, an injury forced her to reassess her career, leading her to switch to road racing. Despite the challenges of adapting to longer distances, her dedication paid off. In September 2023, she shattered the women's marathon world record at the Berlin Marathon with a time of 2:11:53, stunning the athletics world. Assefa's story is an inspiring example of how athletes can reinvent themselves and achieve greatness through perseverance and adaptability​