Kelvin Kiptum Shatters Men's World Marathon Record In Chicago

Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum broke the men's marathon world record in Chicago, finishing in two hours and 35 seconds.

In an incredible display of athleticism, Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum has shattered the men's marathon world record in Chicago, finishing the race in an astounding two hours and 35 seconds. This impressive feat surpasses the previous record set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge by 34 seconds. Kiptum's victory was by a margin of nearly three and a half minutes, with defending champion Benson Kipruto coming in second at 2:04:02 and Bashir Abdi taking third place at 2:04:32.

At just 23 years old, Kiptum has already made a name for himself in the world of marathons. Earlier this year, he won the London Marathon and has now improved upon his own performance by an astonishing 50 seconds. Breaking Kipchoge's world record mark of 2:01:09 set in Berlin last year, Kiptum's achievement is a testament to his determination and skill.

In a post-race interview, Kiptum expressed his elation, stating that while a world record was not on his mind that day, he always believed he would one day hold that title. His preparation and focus paid off, and he is overjoyed with the outcome. Kiptum's strategy of pushing the pace throughout the entire 26.2-mile race proved to be successful as he broke away from the lead group after reaching 5km in an impressive 14:26. Only his compatriot Daniel Mateiko was able to keep up with him.

Although Kiptum and Mateiko were initially outside world record pace at the halfway mark of 1:00:48, Kiptum's determination and strength propelled him forward. With 10km to go, Kiptum kicked into high gear, igniting the possibility of breaking Kipchoge's record. Maintaining a steady pace, Kiptum covered the 5km distance between the 30km-35km stretch in just 13:51, putting him on track to finish under two hours and one minute.

Even as his fellow runner Kibet dropped out in the latter stages of the race, Kiptum showed no signs of giving up. In fact, he ran the second half-marathon in an impressive 59:47, achieving a rare negative split. Crossing the finish line in jubilation, Kiptum celebrated his victory by raising his arms and acknowledging the cheering spectators.

In the women's race, Dutch star Sifan Hassan claimed the top spot with a time of 2:13:44, finishing one minute and 53 seconds ahead of Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich. Ethiopian Alemu Megertu secured third place. Hassan's victory comes just six weeks after winning a bronze in the 1500m and a silver in the 5000m at the World Championships in Budapest. Her marathon triumph has propelled her to the second spot on the women's all-time list, second only to Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa, who set a world record of 2:11:53 at the Berlin Marathon last month.

Reflecting on her race, Hassan shared that she was initially drawn to the fast pace set by the lead group. However, she admitted to struggling in the last five kilometers. Despite the challenges, she emerged victorious in her second marathon, achieving a fantastic time. Hassan couldn't be happier with her performance.

In conclusion, Kelvin Kiptum's record-breaking marathon victory in Chicago is a remarkable achievement that showcases his exceptional talent and determination. His triumph, along with Sifan Hassan's impressive win in the women's race, highlights the incredible athleticism and dedication of these athletes. As they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of marathons, their accomplishments inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.