Kelvin Kiptum: Kenyan Star's Marathon World Record Ratified by World Athletics

• Kelvin Kiptum's world marathon record has been ratified
• This comes four months after the Kenyan set that record
• Kiptum became the first man to surpass the 2:01 barrier

Kelvin Kiptum's world marathon record has finally been ratified by World Athletics, four months after the Kenyan obliterated the record.

The Kenyan star won the Chicago Marathon on October 8 in a time of 2:00:35, becoming the first man to run a marathon under 2:01.

With his win, Kiptum shaved 34 seconds off the world record set by his compatriot, Eliud Kipchoge (2:01:09) at the Berlin Marathon in 2022.

World Athletics has released a statement to confirm Kiptum's world record. The ratification process usually includes doping control and shoe compliance.

The 2023 Chicago Marathon was only Kiptum's third long-distance event of his career, after making his debut in Valencia in 2022.

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"I knew I was coming for a course record, but a world record - I am so happy," he said. "A world record was not on my mind today, but I knew one day I would be a world record-holder."

Kiptum will run in the Rotterdam Marathon in April, seeking to become the first man to officially break the two-hour barrier, per Reuters.

Kelvin Kiptum wins award

Meanwhile, Kiptum was awarded for his stellar 2023 by World Athletics, as Sports Brief also previously reported.

In April 2023, he ran the then-second fastest marathon time at the London Marathon. The 24-year-old is the Men’s World Athlete of the Year award for out-of-stadia events.

Kiptum also hinted that he could take on Kipchoge at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Most analysts feel he is capable of running under two hours.

What Kiptum earned for his world record

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Kiptum not only went home with a world record but also earned a handsome paycheque, Sports Brief also reported.

$560,000 in total prize money was on offer ($280,000 for men and women), plus $50,000 extra for any new records.

Therefore, Kiptum earned a total of $150,000 for his marathon success, which is over 22 million in Kenyan shillings.