Izzi Batt-Doyle sets Australian marathon record in Chicago

Adelaide runner Izzi Batt-Doyle set a new Australian women’s marathon record at the Chicago Marathon.

She finished in 2 hours, 20 minutes and 38 seconds, 46 seconds faster than the previous record set by Jess Stenson last December.

The run also improved Batt-Doyle’s personal best by 2 minutes and 21 seconds.

She placed sixth in the women’s race, won by Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa in 2:13:33.

Batt-Doyle and her fiancé, Riley Cocks, followed a pacing plan that kept her speed steady through the race.

Although conditions were warmer than ideal, she said she prepared by drinking plenty of water and using water cups to cool herself.

The record places her among Australian record-holders including Stenson, Sinead Diver and Benita Willis.