After Shattering World Record at 2023 Chicago Marathon, Kelvin Kiptum Teases Toppling Fellow Countryman’s Achievement

The 2023 Chicago Marathon witnessed history. In a sensational run, Kenyan long-distance runner Kelvin Kiptum set a new marathon world record by clocking a time of 2:00:35. In fact, the London Marathon winner was already way ahead of the pack within just 5km of running and Kiptum covered the second half of the marathon in 59:47. After the race, the Kenyan explained that he had always aimed for a world record, but that wasn’t on his mind when he was racing the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

Kelvin Kiptum achieved the world record by shattering Eliud Kipchoge’s earlier world record, which was just 34 seconds more than Kiptum with 2:01:09. Now, just days after setting a new world record, Kiptum hints at another upcoming performance that might challenge his fellow countryman Eliud Kipchoge once again.

Kelvin Kiptum sets his sight on the Berlin Marathon

Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge has dominated the marathon world for years. However, with his fellow countryman Kelvin Kiptum’s recent performances, the realm of marathons is expecting great things from the 23-year-old athlete. In fact, the 2023 Chicago Marathon was only Kiptum’s 3rd senior marathon and the Kenyan already holds 3 of the 6 fastest times in marathon history. However, that is not enough for Kiptum, who now set his sights on next year’s challenge as a recent X post highlights his upcoming plans.

An X post by Wanjiku Reports quoted Kelvin Kiptum as saying, “My focus was on Chicago, but I still have time for the Berlin Marathon…I have a Coach, Gervais Hakizimana, whom I have worked with for 2 years now.” The Berlin Marathon is where Eliud Kipchoge set the marathon world record last year and although Kiptum already has the world record in the bag, it seems that the Kenyan is hinting at toppling Kipchoge and taking over the Berlin Marathon champion title as well. However, it was not only Kiptum who made the headlines with his run, his shoes also shared the limelight along with him.

Super-shoes steal the show

The past two weeks have witnessed two new marathon world records, one each in the men’s and women’s divisions. While Ethiopian Tigst Assefa set the women’s marathon world record with her 2:11:53, Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum set the men’s marathon world record with his 2:00:35. However, both these athletes’ shoes have also come under the radar with the two sportswear heavyweights Adidas and Nike battling it out in the fight for super shoes. While Assefa was wearing the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 shoes, Kiptum was wearing Nike Alphafly 3, which are referred to as Nike Dev 163 by World Athletics. Both super-shoes are on the approved list of World Athletics and are known for their curved midsole geometry, lightness, and triggering forward momentum.

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These new technology shoes continue to get their fair share of recognition along with the acknowledgment of the runner wearing them. As for Kelvin Kiptum, the Kenyan is fresh off setting a new world record but is already looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics and 2024 Berlin Marathon as he aims to claim the throne of the men’s marathon.

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