Kelvin Kiptum Appears to Challenge Eliud Kipchoge to a Race As 2024 Olympics Approach

• Kelvin Kiptum is on top of the world after breaking the men's marathon world record
• He finished first in the 2023 Chicago Marathon to smash Eliud Kipchoge's record time
• Kiptum now appears to want to face his Kenyan compatriot in a long-distance event

Kelvin Kiptum catapulted himself to athletics royalty after obliterating the men's marathon world record on Sunday at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

The 23-year-old Kenyan clocked 2:00:35 to break the world record held by Eliud Kipchoge. Speaking to the media after returning to Kenya from the USA, Kiptum appeared to challenge his compatriot to a race.

The 2023 London Marathon winner slashed 34 seconds off the world record on Sunday, previously held by Kipchoge (2:01:09). He set the world record at the 2022 Berlin Marathon.

Interestingly, the Chicago Marathon was Kiptum's third marathon. He made his debut in Valencia last December before winning in London in April this year, per World Athletics.

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The two-time Olympic champion has yet to congratulate the new record-holder, which has elicited mixed reactions from Kenyan athletics fans on social media.

Kipchoge won a record 5th Berlin Marathon on September 24, clocking 2:02:42. He confirmed he will run in the 2024 Paris Olympics and will be looking for his third straight Olympic title.

Kiptum ready to face Kipchoge

Speaking in Nairobi after landing in Kenya, Kiptum said he is looking forward to locking horns with his fellow Kenyan, per Nation Sports:

"It will be exciting to meet Kipchoge who has inspired many... I’m looking forward to competing with Eliud if I get selected to represent Kenya at the coming Olympics. Am ready to race with him."

Apart from winning $150,000 in Chicago for winning the race and breaking the world record, the Kenyan government awarded him 5 million Kenya shillings. Kiptum wants to wear Kenyan colours at the 2024 Olympics.

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"It has always been my dream to compete for Kenya, and I will be ready to do that at the Paris Olympics," said Kiptum.

Kipchoge turns 39 in November and will probably face an in-form Kiptum. The veteran has won 16 marathons - and it will be interesting to watch them go toe to toe.

Kipchoge previously backed Kiptum to succeed

In spite of all the back and forth on social media, it is important to note that Kipchoge previously backed Kiptum to go a step beyond what he (Kipchoge) had achieved in the marathon.

The five-time Berlin marathon champion spoke after Kiptum had won in London, stating his junior could become the first person to run a marathon under two hours (in legal conditions).

"I always say records are meant to be broken and I hope Kiptum does that soon. He is a man with a big heart," said Kipchoge at the time, as Sports Brief reported.