Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum Breaks Kipchoge's World Record to Triumph at Chicago Marathon Men's Race

In a remarkable feat, Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum shattered the world record to secure victory in the men’s division of the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, completing the race in an unofficial time of two hours and 35 seconds.

The 23-year-old Kiptum eclipsed the previous world record of 2:01:09 held by Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, who set the mark at the 2022 Berlin Marathon.

Overjoyed by his achievement, Kiptum expressed his happiness, saying, “I feel so happy. I wasn’t prepared. I knew I was coming for a course record but fortunately a world record.”

This victory marked Kiptum’s third win in as many attempts at the 26.2-mile(approx 42KM) distance. He triumphed on his debut in December of the previous year at the Valencia Marathon and followed it up with a victory in the London Marathon last April.

Kiptum humbly remarked, “I’m very happy. A world record was not in my mind today. I knew one day one time I’d be a world-record holder.”

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This historic moment marked the third instance of a men’s world record being set on the streets of Chicago, but it was the first since Morocco’s Khalid Khannouchi achieved the feat in 1999.

Before crossing the finish line, Kiptum enthusiastically interacted with spectators, waving and blowing kisses before jubilantly raising his arms in triumph.

Reflecting on his race, he mentioned, “I saw the time in front of me. I felt good inside of me, maybe a little adrenaline.”

The previous Chicago Marathon record of 2:03:45 had been established by Kenyan Dennis Kimetto in 2013.

Explaining his choice of Chicago for the record attempt, Kiptum noted, “Chicago is a flat course. I thought I’d go and try Chicago.”

In the women’s division of the Chicago Marathon, Dutch star Sifan Hassan clinched victory in an unofficial time of two hours, 13 minutes, and 44 seconds – making it the second-fastest women’s marathon time in history.

The 30-year-old Ethiopian-born runner not only set a course record but also came close to the women’s world record of 2:11:53, set by Ethiopian Tigist Assefa at last month’s Berlin Marathon.

Hassan, who made her marathon debut in April with a win in London, is the reigning Tokyo Olympic champion in the 5,000m and 10,000m events and also secured medals in the 1,500m and 5,000m races at the World Athletics Championships held just six weeks ago.