On Sunday, Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum set a new marathon world record with a time of 2 hours and 35 seconds in the Chicago Marathon, one of the six “Grand Slams” this season. And improved the time of Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge (2 hours, 1 minute and 25 seconds).
Kiptum finished 16 seconds behind Kipchoge at the London Marathon and achieved the feat in Chicago, taking the crown from compatriot Benson Kipruto.
Kiptum, 23, dominated the Windy City Marathon from start to finish, raising his arms in the air as he crossed the finish line and then raising the Kenyan flag in celebration of his victory.
The Kenyan athlete proved himself an expert in the final few kilometers of the marathon, with a final sprint that saw him make history in his first ever Chicago ‘Grand Slam’ race.
“I was so happy. I was ready, I knew I was going to do something big. I was super happy. I saw the time on the stopwatch and said ‘let’s try it’. I wasn’t creating the world in my head record, but I know one day I will achieve it.”Kiptum assured after crossing the finish line.
The Kenyan’s current record is the Chicago Marathon and London Marathon in 2023, and the Valencia Marathon in 2022.
He signed a real work of art and came out strong to distance himself from Kipruto, who was defending his title in Chicago. The only man to maintain pace in the first period was his compatriot Daniel Makito.
However, the second half of the marathon was Kiptum’s monologue, as he covered 35 kilometers in 1 hour and 40 minutes, managing to pick up the pace in the final seven.
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As he crossed Roosevelt Street, 400 meters from the finish line, he realized his time, and the final push allowed him to complete a feat for the ages.
It was a brilliant 2023 Chicago Marathon, with the four winners of the men’s, women’s and corresponding wheelchair athlete events setting the best times of the race.
Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands won the title from two-time champion Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 43 seconds.
Hassan, competing in only the second marathon of his career, showed his huge potential over the distance, leaving Chepujitic with no choice but to hold on until the midway point of the race.
Hager continued his dominance in the wheelchair event, recording his second consecutive victory in 1 hour, 22 minutes and 37 seconds, more than two and a half minutes faster than his previous personal record of winning the stage.
For the Swiss, this is the fourth “Grand Slam” of the year, an achievement following his fifth “Grand Slam” last year.
In the women’s category, Swiss player Catherine Debrunner also won the championship in 1 hour, 38 minutes and 44 seconds after a fierce duel with Susannah Scaroni.
The marathon started and ended in Grant Park in the city center and covered 29 blocks from north to south. On the day of the race, the temperature was 9 degrees and the sky was cloudy, making it ideal running weather.