Kenyan marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum has broken the world men’s marathon record, previously set by marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge.
The 23-year-old achieved this fete after clocking an impressive 2:00:35 time in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, 8th October.
“I feel so happy,” Kelvin Kiptum said after setting a world’s athletics record. “I knew I was coming for a course record. Fortunately, a world record,” he added.
In the women’s race, Dutch marathoner Sifan Hassan became the second fastest women’s marathon runner after finishing the race in 2:13:44 in the second marathon of her career.
Benson Kipruto finished second, three minutes and 27 seconds after Kiptum had broken the tape, while Bashir Abdi from Belgium finished third in 2:04:32.
The previous record set by Eliud Kipchoge was 2:01:09 which he set at the Berlin Marathon in 2022.
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Kiptum Congratulated
President Ruto has joined Kenyans in congratulating Kiptum for the impressive record smashing.
“Kelvin Kiptum has written a new chapter in Marathon history, winning the Chicago Marathon in a majestic, staggering and mind-boggling time of 2:00:35,” said Ruto through a social media post.
He went on to add, “He becomes the first human being to break the 2:01 barrier in competitive running. Congratulations, Kelvin, a new King of the Marathon.”
First lady Rachel Ruto on the other hand congratulated Kiptum, referring to his win as an inspiration to others.
“Congratulations to Kelvin Kiptum on his phenomenal achievement of breaking the men’s marathon world record with a time of 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Kiptum’s record-breaking run is an inspiration to us all,” she said.
She went on to praise Kiptum saying that he has made Kenya proud and written his name in the history books.
Moreover, she also congratulated Benson Kipruto and John Korir for their achievements.
“We also celebrate the achievements of Benson Kipruto and John Korir, who finished second and fourth respectively,” she added.
Compatriot Daniel Mateiko and Kiptum started strong, breaking away from the rest of the marathoners by the 10-kilometer mark.
By the halfway point, the duo was already more than one-and-a-half-minutes ahead of the rest.
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The new world marathon record holder was running in only his third marathon and made the marathon a one-man race at the 35th kilometer mark.
“I saw the time in front of me, I said let me try — maybe I can run under 2:00, I knew one day I would be a world record holder,” said an overjoyed Kiptum.
