Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum Breaks Men’s Record at London Marathon
Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum on Sunday bagged the London Marathon title in a time of 2 hours 1 minute and 26 seconds, becoming the second-fastest marathon runner in history.
Kiptum, who ran the fastest-ever debut marathon in Valencia in December 2022, also smashed the Course Record set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in 2019.
In only his second career marathon, the 23-year-old was just 17 seconds outside Kipchoge’s world record of 2:01:09 set in Berlin in September 2022.
Two-time New York City Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor and Tamirat Tola from Ethiopia finished second and third in 2:04:23 and 2:04:59 respectively.
In the women's category, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands produced a remarkable run to win the title on her marathon debut.
The Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion, 30, appeared out of the race after dropping back early on with what looked like a cramp but she fought back. She then produced a sprint finish to win in 2 hours 18 minutes 33 seconds.
Alemu Megeretu of Ethiopia finished second in a time of 2:18:37 while Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya emerged third at 2:18:38
This was Jepchirchir’s third World Marathon Majors race, having won the 2021 New York City Marathon and 2022 Boston Marathon.
Comments (2)
Congratulations team Kenya.Well done Kiptum,and Peris.I think if this young man expresses desire to be in team Kenya for the world champioships this year,he should be given a chance.This is not brainer.He has proven himself.
What a talent for a young man who had nothing buy a dream.A young man who for the most part trained by himself without a couch.Talk of coming from obscurity to the limelight.
Earlier,last year's winner was asked about the ramphant doping in Kenya.To me this was an indirect way of asking if the likes of Kitum could be dopers.I hope not.But that is the sad state that our doping athletes have put the rest in...
On this doping issue, the government says that it has invested a large some of money into tracking and educating athlete.My question is, why not make it a crime? In this day and age,pretty much all athletes know that doping is not allowed.Therefore inprison the "law breakers".
In my opinion most of these athletes are young and naive. Education by govt and coaches then legal action.