In only his third marathon race, Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum has achieved what many deemed impossible. He shattered Eliud Kipchoge’s world record with a remarkable time of 2:00:35 to claim the Chicago Marathon title on his debut in the city.
Kiptum, who had previously recorded the second-fastest marathon time in history earlier this year in London, now holds the distinction of being the first man to complete the marathon distance in under 2:01, surpassing Kipchoge’s previous world record of 2:01:09.
This historic victory marks the first time since 1999 that the Chicago Marathon witnessed a world record-breaking finish when Morocco’s Khalid Khannouchi clocked 2:05:42 to claim victory.
Ecstatic after his achievement, Kiptum stated, “I am really happy. I had come here trying to run a course record but fortunately, I ran a World Record. I knew one day, one time I would be a World Record holder. I just never thought it would be today. I saw the time after 35km, and I said let me try maybe I can run under 2:00.”
At just 23 years old, Kiptum’s victory is a testament to his incredible talent and determination. He credited the flat course of Chicago for contributing to his success, and his solo run from the 35km mark ultimately secured his place in history.
Benson Kipruto secured second place, finishing three minutes and 27 seconds behind Kiptum, while Bashir Abdi of Belgium claimed third. Kenya’s John Korir also showcased a strong performance, finishing fourth among the top five.
Kiptum’s awe-inspiring journey to break records has left the running world in awe, setting a new standard for marathon excellence.
