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Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot, born on December 2, 1999, in Chepsamo Village, Chepkorio, Elgeyo Marakwet County, died as the reigning Men’s Marathon World Record holder.
He stunned the world with a phenomenal time of 2:00:35 in the Chicago Marathon on October 10, 2023, shattering legend Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record.
The soft-spoken athlete took home a staggering $150,000 (Ksh22.3 million) after the win, $100,000 being the prize money while $50,000 was earned as a bonus for setting the world and course record.
Hailing from humble beginnings, Kiptum’s journey into the world of long-distance running began during his school days at Kipchawat Primary School in Keiyo North Constituency.
The 23-year-old found inspiration from fellow villager and marathoner Geoffrey Kamworor, who also attended the same school.
Kiptum, who until his death ran under the World Athletics – Athlete Code 14859609, quickly became a local sensation as he tirelessly trained in the familiar landscapes of his village.
Kiptum Shining as a Teenager
In 2019, at just 18 years old, Kiptum burst onto the scene by winning the Kass FM Eldoret Half Marathon in Kenya with a time of 1:02:01, establishing himself as a half-marathon specialist.
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He ventured into the international stage at the Lisbon Half Marathon in March 2019, finishing fifth and setting a new personal best of 59:54.
Kiptum’s prowess in the half-marathon continued to shine as he competed in races across Japan, Denmark, Netherlands, France, and Spain.
He went on to secure first and second place finishes in the French 2019 and Dutch 2020 half marathons, respectively.
Marathon Debut
However, he was destined for more as the turning point in his career came in the Valencia Marathon on December 4, 2022, where he made his marathon debut and clinched victory with a remarkable time of 2:01:53.
This marked the start of his dominance in the marathon arena. But it was his historic performance in the Chicago Marathon that made Kiptum a household name.
After clocking 2:00:35, he became the first athlete to break the 2:01 barrier in an official marathon, surpassing Kipchoge’s record of 2:01:09, which he set in the BMW Berlin Marthon 2022.
At just 24 years old, Kiptum held the African and World Men’s Marathon Records, with three of the top six fastest marathon times in history to his name.
In April 2023, he claimed victory in the TCS London Marathon, completing it in 2:01:25, just 16 seconds shy of Kipchoge’s world record.
His achievements in the marathon held in the streets of the UK capital secured him approximately $55,000 (Ksh8.1 million) in prize money. His fellow villager, Kamworor, came second in the race.
Kiptum also signed a lucrative deal with Nike after his impressive marathon heroics and even sported a prototype of the Nike Alphaphly 3 shoe during the Chicago Marathon.
In an astonishing display of talent, Kiptum crossed the finish line nearly three and a half minutes ahead of his compatriots, cementing his place as the dominant force in marathon running.
Also Read: Kelvin Kiptum Smashes Kipchoge Marathon Record
Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot’s journey from a small Kenyan village to the top of the marathon world was a testament to his dedication and talent.
His record-breaking achievements made him a global sensation, and he continues to inspire the world with his remarkable performances despite his death.
