When Kelvin Kiptum tore through the finish line tape in Chicago, there was no sign of any other runners in the distance. On Sunday, the 23-year-old Kenyan not only triumphed but also broke a world record.
At the Chicago Marathon, Kiptum finished in an unofficial time of 2 hours, 35 seconds. If successful, Kiptum will have broken Eliud Kipchoge’s record from the 2022 Berlin Marathon by 34 seconds. Kipchoge is a two-time Olympic winner.
Additionally, Kiptum would become the first athlete in history to complete a marathon in under 2 hours and 1 minute.
“I knew I was coming for a course record, but a world record — I am so happy,” Kiptum said, according to World Athletics. “A world record was not on my mind today, but I knew one day I would be a world record-holder.”
By the 5-km (3.1-mile) mark, Kenyan runners Kiptum and Daniel Mateiko had separated from the pack. Up until about 30 km (18.6 miles), the two were virtually neck to neck. At that point, Kiptum accelerated forward and sprinted desperately until Mateiko was no more in sight.
Shortly after, Mateiko withdrew from the race, allowing Benson Kipruto, another citizen, to take second place. Bashir Abdi, a runner from Belgium, finished third. Conner Mantz, Clayton Young, Galen Rupp, and Sam Chelanga were the other four Americans to place in the top 10.
Kiptum ran his third marathon on Sunday and his first in the United States. With a time of 2:01:25 at the London Marathon in April, Kiptum set a new record for the distance.
Story By: Mustapha Hadji – Ahotor Sports Desk
