Kelvin Kiptum who broke the marathon world record in sensational fashion at the 2023 Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 8 is now ready to face Eliud Kipchoge.
Speaking after landing in the country on Tuesday, October 10, Kiptum told a section of the media that he was ready to battle it up with Kipchoge if he is selected to represent the country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“I am looking forward to competing with him (Kipchoge), maybe if I am selected to represent Kenya in the Olympics, I am ready to race with him,” Kiptum stated.
Speaking after receiving Ksh5 million from the government for clocking 2 hours and 35 seconds in the Chicago marathon, the young athlete noted that the opportunity to run alongside Kipchoge would also raise his profile.
He however insisted that he was ready to represent the country if picked by Athletics Kenya in other future races.
In the Chicago marathon, Kiptum showed no sign of weakening and ran the second half-marathon in 59:47 for a rare negative split.
“I feel so happy. I was prepared. I knew I was coming for a course record, but fortunately [it was] a world record,” Kiptum stated in a post-race interview.
“A world record was not in my mind today, but I knew one time, one day I’d be a world record holder.”
Last year’s winner Benson Kipruto was second in 2:04:02 with Belgium’s Bashir Abdi 30 seconds further back in third.
