Kelvin Kiptum surprised by record breaking Chicago race that obliterated Eliud Kipchoge's marathon time

ATHLETICS Kelvin Kiptum surprised by record breaking Chicago race that obliterated Eliud Kipchoge's marathon time

Joel Omotto 11:00 - 09.10.2023

Newly-crowned world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum has revealed that he had other targets on his mind other than the world record he achieved in Chicago on Sunday

Newly-crowned world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum has expressed his surprise at breaking the world record following his heroics at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.

Kiptum continued his astonishing marathon trajectory when he decimated all his opponents to win the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.

The 23-year-old literally had no equals as he ran alone for most of the race, crossing the 35km mark in 1:40:22, and he duly delivered to become the first world record holder and first human being to run under 2:01 in a legitimate marathon.

He obliterated Eliud Kipchoge’s record set in Berlin last year by 35 seconds and now holds two out of the three fastest ever times over the 42km race (2:00:35 and 2:01:25).

“I feel so happy, I knew I was coming for a course record but fortunately a world record,” said Kiptum.

“I saw the time I front and said; ‘let me try if I can run under 2:02’ and fortunately yes.”

Kiptum admitted the course in Chicago played a part in his incredible run and world record pace.

“A world record was not in my mind today. I heard a long time ago that Chicago was a flat course and I said let me go and try,” he added.

It is just the third marathon in the 23-year-old’s career but he has already achieved what many seasoned runners struggle to get.

He made his debut in Valencia last December, clocking 2:01:53, the fifth fastest time in history, to win the race, before another dominant run at this year’s London Marathon in April, stopping the clock at 2:01:25, the second fastest time ever, when he missed Kipchoge’s world record by just 16 seconds.