Women’s marathon World Record progression
N.B. list commences from the first time the World Record was run faster than 2:45:34, the fastest ever marathon run barefoot by a woman: Phạm Thị Bình at the 2013 Southeast Asian Games.
1974 – Jacqueline Hansen – 2:43:54.5 – Adidas Marathon
1975 – Christa Vahlensieck – 2:40:15.8 – EB Lydiard Road Runner
1975 – Jacqueline Hansen – 2:38:19 – Adidas Marathon
1977 – Chantal Langlacé – 2:35:15.4 – Adidas Marathon
1977 – Christa Vahlensieck – 2:34:47.5 – EB Lydiard Marathon
1980 – Joan Benoit – 2:31:23 – Nike Bermuda
1980 – Patti Catalano Dillon – 2:30:57.1 – Nike Mariah
1980 – Joyce Smith – 2:30:27 – Puma Super Sonic
1981 – Joyce Smith – 2:29:57 – Puma Super Sonic
1982 – Charlotte Teske – 2:29:01.6 – Nike Elite
1982 – Joan Benoit – 2:26:12 – Nike Lady Terra T/C
1983 – Grete Waitz – 2:25:28.7 – Adidas Atlanta
1984 – Ingrid Kristiansen – 2:24:26 – Nike Mariah
1985 – Ingrid Kristiansen – 2:21:06 – Nike Mariah
1998 – Tegla Loroupe – 2:20:47 – Nike Air Streak Vengeance
1999 – Tegla Loroupe – 2:20:43 – Nike Air Streak Vengeance
2001 – Naoko Takahashi – 2:19:46 – ASICS Sortie Japan
2001 – Catherine Ndereba – 2:18:47 – Nike Air Streak Ekiden IV
2002 – Paula Radcliffe – 2:17:18 – Nike Air Ekiden V
2003 – Paula Radcliffe – 2:15:25 – Nike Air Streak Ekiden V
2019 – Brigid Kosgei – 2:14:04 – Nike Zoom VaporFly Next%
2023 – Tigst Assefa – 2:11:53 – Adidas AdiZero Adios Pro Evo 1
2024 – Ruth Chepng’etich – 2:09:56 – Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 3