At only 23 years of age, Kelvin Kiptum, a Kenyan marathoner, has hit the world record with an outstanding performance in the third marathon of his life.
Kiptum set a world record on Sunday, October 8, 2023, in the Chicago Marathon, finishing in 2 hours, 35 seconds, shattering Eliud Kipchoge’s record by 34 seconds.
“I knew I was coming for a course record, but fortunately, a world record…A world record was not on my mind today, but I knew one day I would be a world record-holder.” Kiptum said after the race.
The outstanding performance will see him take home the first-place prize money of $100,000 (Sh14.8 million).
Kiptum will also receive a bonus of $50,000 (Sh7.4 million) for setting a new record, which is offered uniformly across all competitive divisions by the Chicago Marathon.
His total earnings for winning the Chicago Marathon and setting a new world record will be $150,000 (Sh22.3 million).
In addition, he is set to receive the Sh5 million reward promised to every athlete who breaks a record by President William Ruto last month.
Sh7.3 million prize and other millions Kipchoge is set to receive for winning Berlin Marathon
Faith Kipyegon, who set two records, received Sh5 million for one record and a new house worth Sh6 Million for the other.
“It will be the same for the other world-beaters and world record-breakers that will come after Faith.” Ruto pledged.
Kiptum’s victory at the Chicago Marathon marks a historic achievement in the sport of running.
His potential to break the world record was evident in last year’s Valencia marathon, where he became the third fastest man in history after finishing the 42-kilometer race in 2.01:53 in the best debut ever.
This year, in April, he dazzled in London with the second-best time in history, with 2.01:25, only 16 seconds away from Kipchoge’s world record.
New kid on the block