2023-10-08 21:27:37
Chicago witnessed a UFO this Sunday. At the end of a second part of a stratospheric marathon (see below), Kelvin Kiptum established a world record and a time flirting with the two-hour mark (2h00′35″), beating Eliud’s mark by 34 seconds. Kipchoge (2h01′09″) performed in Berlin in 2022. Only 23 years old, Kiptum already has a long list of accomplishments, despite relative experience. Here’s what you need to know about the Kenyan.
Only his third marathon
Valencia, London and Chicago. Here is the list of marathons contested by Kiptum. Less than a year after his debut in Spain, in December 2022 (2h01′53″) – already the third best world performance of all time at the time – the native of Eldoret has never been beaten on the distance. From his debut, he immediately placed himself among the elite of runners at world level. In London, on April 23, 2023, he even broke Kipchoge’s old record with a time of 2h01′25″. Where the double Olympic champion waited until he was 28 to begin his first marathons on the circuit, Kiptum specialized in the event very early. Enough to give him time to gain additional experience.
Kelvin Kiptum has won every marathon he has competed in (Michael Reaves / Getty images). 2023 Getty Images
“More than 250 kilometers per week” according to his coach
Kiptum started running regularly in 2016 and became more and more diligent. Three years later, he stood out in Belfort by setting the record for the Lion race (59″53′). His trainer, the Rwandan Gervais Hakizimana, assured AFP that his colt covered “more than 250km per week, sometimes more than 300”, whereas Kipchoge would exercise over a distance of “between 180 and 220 kilometers per week”. “It’s adventure!” During the preparation for London, we spent three weeks traveling more than 300 kilometers. It has a very large volume. At this rate, he risks injury and breakage. I suggested he lower the intensity, but he doesn’t want to. He talks to me about the world record all the time,” his coach confessed.
A “negative split” specialist
The phenomenon is used to performing “negative splits”, the fact of completing a second part of the race more quickly than the first. After a little over 21 kilometers this Sunday, Kiptum posted a time of one hour and 48 seconds. He completed the other half of the course in 59 minutes and 47 seconds. The Kenyan had already achieved this feat earlier in the year. During the London marathon, he achieved a time of 59 minutes and 45 seconds to complete the second part of the event.
He never ran against Kipchoge
It would be tempting to establish a rivalry between Eliud Kipchoge and Kiptum. However, it is important to point out that the two men never started together. The prospect of a duel at the Olympic Games remains probable. Kipchoge (38 years old), veteran who lost his record and double Olympic champion, could thus face a runner of his pedigree.
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