At the youthful age of 23, Kelvin Kiptum, an accomplished Kenyan marathoner, has etched his name into the annals of history by smashing the world record in just his third marathon event.
On a memorable Sunday, October 8, 2023, at the Chicago Marathon, Kiptum delivered an awe-inspiring performance, crossing the finish line in an astounding 2 hours and 35 seconds. This remarkable achievement shattered the previous world record held by Eliud Kipchoge, besting it by an impressive 34 seconds.
In a post-race interview, Kiptum expressed his astonishment, saying, “I knew I was coming for a course record, but fortunately, a world record… A world record was not on my mind today, but I knew one day I would be a world record-holder.”
Kiptum’s exceptional performance not only earned him the title of world record-holder but also a substantial monetary reward. He will be taking home the coveted first-place prize of $100,000 (equivalent to Sh14.8 million).
Additionally, Kiptum will receive a generous bonus of $50,000 (Sh7.4 million) for his record-setting feat, a reward uniformly extended to all competitive divisions by the Chicago Marathon. Consequently, his total earnings for triumphing at the Chicago Marathon and establishing a new world record will amount to $150,000 (Sh22.3 million).
In a further display of recognition for his outstanding achievement, Kiptum is set to receive the promised Sh5 million reward from President William Ruto, which is awarded to every athlete who breaks a record. This commitment by the President aligns with his pledge to support world-beaters and record-breakers like Kiptum.
This monumental victory at the Chicago Marathon signifies a historic milestone in the world of long-distance running. Kiptum’s potential to rewrite history was evident in the previous year’s Valencia marathon, where he claimed the title of the third fastest man in history by completing the 42-kilometer race in a staggering 2.01:53, marking an unparalleled debut.
Earlier this year, in April, Kiptum continued to dazzle the running world with his performance in London, securing the second-best time in history, finishing in 2.01:25, a mere 16 seconds away from Kipchoge’s revered world record.
It is worth noting that Eliud Kipchoge had set the official world record at the Berlin Marathon just last year, with a time of 2:01:09, a record that Kiptum has now eclipsed, cementing his status as an exceptional talent in the realm of marathon running.
