Is Kiptum’s Marathon World Record the start of a new era?
Kelvin Kiptum broke the marathon world record by over 30 seconds at Chicago on Sunday, bringing the possibility of a sub-two-hour marathon almost within touching distance.
The Kenyan recorded a time of 2:00.35, shaving 34 seconds off the previous world record held by Eliud Kipchoge and ushering in what could be seen as a new era in the men’s marathon.
The matter of a sub-two-hour marathon has been hotly debated within the running world for years, with Kipchoge touted as the most likely to do the impossible.
Yet Kiptum has announced himself on the world stage in fashion. Such an entrance not only sets up a fierce contest with his compatriot, but also brings renewed debate about the possibility of a sub-two marathon.
At 23, Kiptum remains a relative chick on the marathon scene. Barely out of his shell, the Kenyan has only two prior marathons under his belt, having competed in his first marathon in December 2022 in Valencia.
Comparatively, Kipchoge was 33-years-old by the time he broke the world record for the first time in 2018.
Kiptum’s relative youth would indicate he boasts huge potential. Since making his marathon debut in 2013, Kipchoge has shaved over four minutes off his time. Should Kiptum do the same, he would be entering a whole new realm of running possibility.
Kelvin Kiptum overcome with joy celebrates with Race Director Carey Pinkowski.
The newcomer did not make things easy for himself either.
Whilst Chicago boasts a flat course, it is not famed for its world record-breaking calibre. The last eight marathon world records have been recorded at Berlin, meaning Kiptum had to take over three minutes off the previous Chicago course record to achieve the feat.
Such potential bodes well for a future attempt to break the two-hour mark, an achievement that would mark a monumental milestone in marathon-running.
Just as Roger Bannister is remembered for his sub-four-minute-mile, should Kiptum achieve the feat, he is sure to make an indelible mark in the history books.
In the women’s race Sifan Hassan, secured a second victory in her second ever marathon, setting a new European record of 2:13:44. Hassan is now the fastest European distance runner in history holding European Records over the 1500m, 5000m, 10,000m, half-marathon and the marathon distances.
Sifan Hassan and Kelvin Kiptum celebrate their success.
In the wheelchair races Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner both broke the course records clocking 1:22:37 and 1:38:44 respectively.
The top 7 competitors in the men’s marathon and the top 15 in the women’s race finished inside the Olympic qualifying time.
Amongst the women’s field was British Athlete Rose Harvey clocking a huge personal best of 2:23:21, putting her 5th on the UK all-time list and joining Charlotte Purdue with a qualifying time for Paris.
Whilst Paris 2024 sits pretty on the horizon, for both Kipchoge and Kiptum another race is emerging: the race for a place in history. 1:59…
