Big payday for Kenyan’s Alexander Mutiso and Peres Jepchirchir after London Marathon wins

Alexander Mutiso and Peres Jepchirchir after winning the 2024 London Marathon. Photo: Imago

Big payday for Kenyan’s Alexander Mutiso and Peres Jepchirchir after London Marathon wins

Joel Omotto 07:00 - 22.04.2024

Millions await Kenyan runners Alexander Mutiso and Peres Jepchirchir after their victory in Sunday’s London Marathon with the latter breaking a world record.

Kenyan runners Alexander Mutiso and Peres Jepchirchir are set to pocket over Ksh7 million each following their wins at the 2024 London Marathon on Sunday.

Both runners executed tactical races to win their respective races, Mutiso returning the men’s title to Kenya after the late Kelvin Kiptum claimed it last year, while Jepchirchir succeeded Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan, who won it in 2023.

London Marathon is not among the top paying marathons in the world but it has big bonuses for runners who post fast times.

All winners in the elite races of the 2024 London Marathon receive £44,000 (Ksh7,215,844), with the runner-up earning £23,700 (Ksh3,935,914) and third-place taking home £17,800 (Ksh2,951,936).

That means Mutiso and Jepchirchir will take home Ksh7,215,844 each for their wins while Joyciline Jepkosgei, who finished third in the women’s race, pocket Ksh2,951,936.

Jepchirchir will also pocket an extra £100,000 (Ksh16,399,645) for lowering Mary Keitany’s women’s-only world record of 2:17:01 after running 2:16:16, bringing her total for the two-hour job to Ksh23,615,489.

The two will also make much more in appearance fees, added to the bonus that will come from their kit sponsors, both representing German apparel Adidas.

Mutiso ensured the London Marathon title remained in Kenya when he shook off Ethiopian veteran Kenenisa Bekele to claim victory in a time of 2:04:01 with the 41-year-old showing immense resilience to claim second place in 2:04:15.

It was the first major marathon victory for 2023 Prague Marathon winner Mutiso having been third in Valencia in 2022 and second at the same race last year.

Meanwhile, Olympic champion Jepchirchir all but secured her place in Kenya’s final team to the 2024 Games in Paris, with her win which saw her storm to the finish line in a time of 2:16:23, breaking Keitany’s women’s-only world record of 2:17:01 set in 2017.

All the top four women in London run faster than Keitany’s record with world record holder Tigst Asefa of Ethiopia clocking 2:16:23 for second place after pipping Kenya’s Jepkosgei who managed 2:16:24 to complete the podium while Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu timed 2:16:34 for fourth place.

It means Assefa, Jepkosgei and Alemu will also get the extra £20,000 (Ksh3,279,929) for lowering the course record.