- Kiptum ran his debut marathon in Valencia, Spain, on December 4, 2022.
- He is the only person in history to run a marathon under 2:01:00 in a record-eligible race.
Image: FILE
Kelvin Kiptum became the first athlete to break 2:01 in a record-eligible marathon, clocking a tremendous 2:00:35.
Kiptum’s run took 34 seconds off the world record at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday.
Here is what you need to know about Kiptum.
Kiptum was born on December 2, 1999, and is a Kenyan long-distance runner and the Marathon World Record holder (2:00:35).
He is the only person in history to run a marathon under 2:01:00 in a record-eligible race.
Kiptum holds three of the top six fastest marathons ever run.
He ran the fastest-ever marathon debut at the 2022 Valencia Marathon, becoming the third man in history to break two hours and two minutes
Kiptum followed with a debut at a World Marathon Major, winning the 2023 London Marathon in what was then the second-fastest time in history of 2:01:25, 16 seconds outside the then-world record.
In the 2023 Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2023, Kiptum set a new marathon world record with a time of 2:00:35.
The record is subject to ratification by World Athletics.
At the age of 18, in October 2018, Kiptum won the Eldoret Half Marathon with a time of 1:02:01
He then debuted internationally at the Lisbon Half Marathon in March 2019, finishing fifth with a new personal best of 59:54.
In December 2020, he set a significant consecutive best in the event at 58:42, placing sixth at the Valencia Half Marathon.
In 2021, he ran 59:35 and 59:02 half marathons in Lens, France (first), and Valencia (eighth) respectively.
Kiptum ran his debut marathon in Valencia, Spain, on December 4, 2022.
With what was then the quickest closing half ever (60:15), he finished first with the current CR time of 2:01:53, becoming the third man in history to break 2:02.
The then 23-year-old Kiptum also became the fastest debutant marathoner in history.
Kiptum's winning time was by far the fastest marathon debut ever, breaking the course record by over a minute.
He beat the 2022 world marathon champion Tamirat Tola, a pre-race favourite, among others.
In his debut at a World Marathon Major on April 23, 2023, Kiptum triumphed decisively at the London Marathon. Falling 16 seconds short of the World Record.
He set the second-fastest mark in history with a time of 2:01:25.
Going into this race, Kipchoge held the London Marathon's course record at 2:02:37, which fell to Kiptum.
Personal bests
10,000 metres – 28:27.87 (Stockholm 2021)
Road
10 kilometres – 28:17 (Utrecht 2019)
Half marathon – 58:42 (Valencia 2020)
Marathon – 2:01:25 (London 2023), third fastest of all time
Marathon – 2:00:35 (Chicago 2023), world record
What he said:
The elated athlete waved and blew kisses at spectators before punching the air in triumph at the finish line.
He then went down on his knees and kissed the course in grace.
“For now, I’m very happy. A world record was not on my mind but it came naturally,” Kiptum said excitedly in a post-race interview.
However, at some point, he got inspired to record a milestone after taking a glance at the clock and realising he was several minutes behind the world record.
“I saw the time in front of me and said let me try and see if I can run under 2:00. But unfortunately, I didn’t make it.”
Kiptum said he was not surprised by his masterclass act because he had always believed in his potential to attain new heights over the distance.
“I always knew one time I’d be a world record holder," Kiptum remarked.
“This was my first time in Chicago. I heard a long time ago that Chicago has a flat course, and so I said let me go and give it a try.”
It was the first time a world record was recorded in Chicago since Moroccan Khalid Khannouchi’s exploits of 2:05:42 on October 24, 1999.