Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum sets new marathon world record in Chicago with 2h00:35a brand that brings its success closer to the two-hour mark, something that a few years ago seemed unthinkable to achieve.
In the third marathon of his life, at the age of 23, Kelvin Kiptum erases in one fell swoop the continuous exploitation of his countryman Eliud Kipchogeconsidered the best marathon runner in history, to write his name on the first page of the golden book of world athletics.
The young African athlete has long warned of his potential and ambition. The first time on December 4, 2022, when he swept Valencia in 2:01:53 and He became the third fastest man in marathon history. The second on April 23, 2023, in his first ‘major’, in London, where he signed 2h01:25, just sixteen seconds away from Kipchoge’s world record.
For the third time, in Chicago, broke the world record and stopped the clock at a stratospheric 2h00:35beating Kipchoge’s 2h01:09 by 34 seconds.
Such was the speed that Kiptum imposed in the beginning that even the hares had difficulty guiding him. 14:26 in the first 5,000, 28:42 in the 10,000 and 1h00:48 in the half marathon reflected the high speed of the Kenyan race, which reached the final stretch so well that he could shift into a higher gear from kilometer 33 and finish the second half marathon in 59:47.
“My main goal was to make the course record, but I was ready to run fast. I don’t trust the world recordl. Kipchoge is the best, he has done a lot, we respect him and we have to continue what he has done,” said Kiptum after winning in Chicago.
At 23 years old, Kiptum became the fastest marathoner in history. He set three of the six best times ever achieved and his success reopens the debate about whether it is possible to go under two hours in an official marathon and when it can happen.
So far, the only one who has lowered that barrier is Kipchoge, although his work has not been approved. On October 12, 2019, in Vienna (Austria), when the Kenyan achieved a time of 1h59:40 in a race tailored to him, the “Ineos 1.59”, where he has external assistance not permitted by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) and, therefore, his score does not count.
He chased that one car He sets the pace to beat the two-hour wall and is surrounded by seven ‘hares’ in an arrow formation to protect him from the wind. The seven runners were part of a group of 41 top athletes who took turns throughout the race to provide support.
The Spanish Martin Fiz, European champion (Helsinki, 1994) and world marathon champion (Gothenburg, 1995), as well as the winner of six ‘majors’ (London, New York, Tokyo, Boston, Berlin and Chicago) in his category, he is clear about this.
“How we now enter the circle of values. The men’s barrier is closer (2h00:00). It remains to be reduced by only 35 seconds but it will be as difficult as reducing the women’s 1:53 to close to 2h10:00“, stated Fiz, also recalling the recent work of the Ethiopian Tigist Assefa in Berlin, who established a new world record in 2h11:53.
In just ten months, on August 10, 2024, the men’s marathon will be held at the Paris Olympic Games. Kipchoge, who would have turned 39 by then, said a few days ago that his goal was to win his third straight gold. Kiptum, who will now turn 24, is also marked as aimas he became known after winning in Chicago.
The rivalry is served. All eyes in the sports world will be looking at the Paris asphalt that day with one question in mind: Will there be a change in marathon reigns?
Source: La Verdad

I’m Jason Root, a professional writer working with Today Times Live, the premier news website. I specialize in sports writing, covering the biggest stories in the world of athletics. With an eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, I provide engaging and informative articles that capture the key elements of any event or issue. My work has been featured on numerous respected websites and publications around the world.