'I carry Kiptum in my heart'- Swiss runner dedicates Barcelona Marathon title to Kelvin Kiptum

Newly-crowned Barcelona Marathon champion Abraham Tadesse has disclosed why he dedicates his win to the late Kelvin Kiptum.

The 41-year-old disclosed that all his life, he has never witnessed a great runner like Kelvin Kiptum who won all his three marathons in impressive times.

He noted that the fallen hero’s death affected him in his life and the late Kiptum, who is the world marathon record holder, will forever be in his heart.

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Kiptum, the Chicago and London Marathon champion, was in the company of his coach Gervais Hakizimana, and were killed in a road accident near Eldoret town.

In an interview with USA News, the Swiss said: “I have never seen a better marathon runner than Kiptum.

“I have never seen an athlete compete in three marathons, win all three and go under 2:02:00 in all of them, and even break the world record.

“I carry Kiptum in my heart. That episode affected me deeply. On that day I was in Kenya, focused. I attended his funeral, I think about him a lot. I thought a lot about him Kiptum, He motivated me a lot today as I ran and this win is his win."

Meanwhile, Tadesse took charge of the race at the 30km mark, and ran alone for the remaining part of the race. He cut the tape in 2:05:01 to shatter the previous record of 2:05.06 set last year by Bahrain’s Marius Kimutai.

Tadesse was followed by Collins Kipkorir who crossed the finish in second place in 2:06.44 with Edmond Kipngetich completing the podium in 2:07.21.