Former men’s marathon record holder, Eliud Kipchoge, broke his silence following his dethronement by 23-year-old sensation, Kelvin Kiptum.
However, much to the dismay of many fans, Kipchoge’s message did not include the expected congratulatory words for the new marathon record holder.
In a statement on his social media platforms, the two-time Olympic champion expressed his joy at reconnecting with running enthusiasts in China.
“It’s great to be back in China where I had the opportunity to meet so many fans who share the same love for running,” he said.
This message, although well-received by his fans, failed to address the remarkable achievement of Kiptum, who broke Kipchoge’s official marathon record by cutting off 34 seconds in the Chicago Marathon.
The absence of a congratulatory message from the first ever man to run a marathon under two hours, has left fans eagerly awaiting a response from the running legend.
Mixed reactions
Fans took to social media with a barrage of responses to express their disappointment.
One user questioned, “Have you congratulated Kelvin Kiptum?”
Another impatiently urged, “We are waiting for you to congratulate the new sheriff in town. We know this is where you draw the line, but we will be there no matter what.”
Also Read: Mixed Reactions as Eliud Kipchoge Remains Silent After Being Dethroned
Some fans went further, labeling the former marathon-record holder as “selfish” for not offering simple “congratulations.”
Others called on him to be more generous, emphasizing that heroes should encourage fellow runners to dream big even when they are outshined.
One fan demanded acknowledgement, saying, “We, the people of Keiyo will not accept anything less than congratulations to the new Champion and World record holder Kevin Kiptum.”
Kipchoge still a legend
However, there were those who came to Kipchoge’s defense, highlighting his remarkable career.
One user pointed out that people tend to forget all the honorable deeds after one mistake and added, “People here calling Eliud Kipchoge out for not congratulating Kelvin Kiptum, we roll.”
Another supporter emphasized Kipchoge’s uniqueness, stating, “We are unlikely to witness another Eliud in our lifetime. Kiptum has a long way to go to catch up with the GOAT.”
Kiptum ready for a challenge
Meanwhile, Kelvin Kiptum, the new record holder, declared his readiness to face off against Kipchoge in the Paris Summer 2024 Olympics if selected by the Kenya Athletics team.
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“I’m looking forward to competing with Eliud if I get selected to represent Kenya at the coming Olympics. I’m ready to race with him,” a confident Kiptum said.
Kiptum’s statement came following his triumphant return to the country after his record-breaking victory in the United States.
The former half-marathon specialist received a Ksh5 million prize from the government through the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and the Arts.
Eliud remains a marathon legend though, having run a marathon in under two hours, albeit unofficially, with a remarkable time of 1:59:40 in the INEOS Challenge.
