Kenyan Teenager Rhonex Kipruto Sets New Record for 10-Kilometre Race on US Soil

18-year-old Kenyan athlete Rhonex Kipruto has smashed the record for a 10-kilometre race in the United States.

The teenager clocked the fastest time ever on US soil for a 10km race at the UAE Healthy Kidney run held in New York City's Central Park on Sunday.

He finished the race on a record 27 minutes and 8 second to break the previous US all-comers mark of 27 minutes and 11seconds set by another Kenyan Sammy Kipketer, in New Orleans in 2002. 

Kipruto crossed the finishing line 11 seconds ahead of compatriot Mathew Kimeli who finished second in 27:19, while Ethiopia’s Teshome Mekonen came third in a time of 28:10.

Kipruto eclipsed the previous event record of 27:35, set by world record holder Leonard Patrick Komon of Kenya in 2011.

 Buze Diriba of Ethiopia won the women's race in 32:04 ahead of compatriot Aselefech Mergia who clocked 32:06, while Kenya's Monicah Ngige finished third for the second consecutive year in 32:15.