April 19, 1998: Kenyan Tecla Lorupe sets a new world record of 2 hours 20 minutes and 47 seconds to win the women’s race in the Rotterdam marathon. After 10 kilometres, Lorupe had already ducked 20 seconds under the previous women’s world best time of 2:21:06 set by Norwegian Ingrid Kristiansen’s in London in 1985. Lorupe won the race last year and vowed to try and beat Kristiansen’s at this year’s event. Here, Lorupe shortly after receiving an award for her accomplishments on the track. Lorupe is a two time world half-marathon champion and worn the 10,000 metres bronze medal at the world athletics championship in Githenburg, Sweden in 1996.

Photo|Nation Syndication