- EDITOR’S BRIEF: Kelvin Kiptum’s impressive performance at the London Marathon is a significant achievement that will be remembered for years to come. His new course record and second-place ranking in marathon history are a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport. Kiptum’s victory also reinforces Kenya’s position as a powerhouse in long-distance running and serves as an inspiration to young athletes everywhere.
Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum Sunday made history at the London Marathon by setting a new course record of 2:01:25, beating Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record of 2:02:37 set in 2019. Kiptum, who missed the world record by only 18 seconds, is now the second fastest marathon runner in history, just behind his compatriot Kipchoge, who holds the current world record of 2:01:09.
Kiptum’s victory came after a closely contested race featuring some of the world’s top athletes, including defending champion Amos Kipruto, Valencia Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, Ethiopians Birhanu Legese and Tamirat Tola, and Kenenisa Bekele, the fastest runner in the pack. The group of nine athletes led by Kiptum passed the 10km mark in 29:12, the 15km mark in 43:51, and the 20km mark in 58:31, before reaching the halfway point in 1:01:40.
Kiptum maintained his position in the leading pack through 25km, which he reached in 1:12:53, along with Kipruto and Kamworor. However, Kiptum made a decisive move just after the 30km mark, opening up a 10-second lead from Kamworor and pulling away from the rest of the pack. He continued to extend his lead over the final 10km, crossing the finish line in record time and securing his place in the history books.
Kiptum’s impressive performance earned him praise from fellow athletes and fans alike. Despite missing the world record, Kiptum remained humble, saying, “I didn’t come here to break the world record, I just came to win the race.” He also expressed his gratitude to the London Marathon organizers, saying, “I’m very happy to win the London Marathon, it’s a great honor for me.”
Kiptum’s victory is a testament to the depth of talent in Kenyan long-distance running and the country’s dominance in the sport. His success, along with that of other Kenyan runners, serves as an inspiration to young athletes across the world and highlights the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance in achieving one’s goals.
