Why Benson Kipruto is Chasing History After Conquering New York

The 2025 New York Marathon champion, Benson Kipruto, has set his sights on a historic and unprecedented milestone in the world of distance running. 

The 32-year-old Kenyan, who is fresh off his dramatic victory in the Big Apple, is now targeting a "seven-star" legacy, aiming to become the first man to win all seven Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Kipruto has already established himself as a titan of the sport, having successfully bagged four of the prestigious crowns. 

The experienced marathoner’s  trophy cabinet currently boasts titles from Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, and his recent triumph in New York. To complete the set, he must now conquer the courses in Berlin, London, and Sydney.

On November 2, Kipruto cruised to the New York title, stopping the clock in 2:08:09 after a dramatic photo finish with Alexander Munyao, who was second with an identical time. 

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Compatriot Albert Korir rounded off the podium, clocking 2:08:57. After his fourth Majors triumph in New York, Kipruto, while speaking to the New York Road Runners, said his dream is now to complete the entire set.

"That is my dream now. To win them all and have the seven-star medal," Kipruto said in an interview with The Star.

Kipruto first reigned supreme in the Abbott Majors in 2021 when he won Boston, clocking 2:09:51 ahead of Ethiopian duo Lemi Berhanu and Jemal Yimer.

 He followed this success the next year by winning the Chicago title in 2:04:24, defeating Ethiopia's Seifu Abdiwak and John Korir.

In 2024, he added the Tokyo title to his resume, finishing in 2:02:16, with Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Kipkemoi in second and third place, respectively.

Reflecting on his most recent triumph, Kipruto stated that patience played to his advantage in New York. The tactical nature of the race required a cool head, particularly on such a demanding route.

"Normally, in a race on a hard course without pacers, one has to be patient before deciding to make a move, and that's what I did, and it paid off," he noted.

With the winning margin narrow by microseconds, Kipruto stated that he was determined to secure victory.

"I had no doubt I had won because I had prepared well for the last kick. Mutiso was closing because he was good on the hills," he added.

"I felt him behind me, and I kept looking behind, but I could not let the win go."

Kipruto revealed that running with two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge in New York was instrumental, as the 41-year-old has always pushed him in previous races. He credits the veteran for providing psychological support during major events.

"I love running with Eliud. He gives me morale because he is my mentor. If you look at the races I have run with him, I always win or finish on the podium," Kipruto said.

The statistics back up his confidence. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Kipruto won bronze for Kenya in the men's marathon in 2:07:00, while Kipchoge recorded a DNF.

 Furthermore, during his triumph at the 2024 Tokyo race, Kipruto set the current course record (2:02:16), bettering the previous mark of 2:02:40, set by Kipchoge in 2022.6

"I was with him in Paris, and I finished third. We raced in Tokyo (2024), and I won, breaking his course record. So it's always amazing running with him," he concluded.