By Tony Kipkorir
One year ago, the late Kenyan road race runner Kelvin Kiptum did the unthinkable in the streets of Chicago.
He produced a scintillating display to break the world record held by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge by more than 30 seconds.
The athlete, who was yet to reach the peak of his career, destroyed the Chicago Marathon course and went on to cut the tape in an impressive time of 2:00.35.
After shocking the world in his Chicago Marathon debut, the 24-year-old had plans to run a sub-two-hour marathon at the 2024 Rotterdam Marathon in the Netherlands.
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However, weeks before the event, he passed on alongside his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana in a tragic road accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat highway on February 12, when the car he was driving hit a tree, leaving only one survivor.
Eight months after his shocking demise, the athletic world is set to remember Kiptum in the event that made him a household name.
The organizers of the 2024 Chicago Marathon have disclosed that a moment of silence will be held before the start of the race scheduled for Sunday, October 13 to pay tribute to Kiptum.
In addition, they announced that each participant will be issued with a commemorative sticker to affix to their running bibs.
Among those runners who are set to battle it out on Sunday include the elite Kenyan contingent led by Amos Kipruto and John Korir.
2023 Berlin Marathon runner-up Vincent Ngetich and debutant Daniel Ebenyo are also expected to be in contention.
Speaking ahead of the race, Kipruto, who announced earlier this year that he will run the race in honor of Kiptum, stated that he is ready for the showdown.
“First, I am happy to be back to run again. It has been long since I ran due to injuries and I am looking forward to Sunday to race again,” he explained during the pre-race press conference.
Kipruto has a personal best of 2:03.13, which is among the fastest in this years’ entries, with only Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese (2:02.48) having a better lifetime best compared to him.
Chicago Marathon 2024
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On his part, Legese, who is returning to Chicago after six years, revealed that he will change his breakfast menu this time round since it affected his performance during the 2018 edition, where he finished 10th.
Similar to the men’s category, the organizers have also assembled a strong women’s field that has the likes of two-time champion Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya and Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede, who has registered the fastest time on the road this year.
Chepngetich, who ran the fastest half marathon in South America in August, told reports during Friday’s press conference that she expects to post a brilliant display where she is eyeing a third consecutive crown.
“I feel good coming back to race in Chicago marathon. This is my fourth year and I am much grateful. So, Chicago is like home and on Sunday I want to run a beautiful race,” she stated.
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When asked whether she is seeking to lower the current course record of 2:13.44 that was set by Sifan Hassan last October, Chepngetich stated that she will do her best to run a fast race.
Some of the other female stars confirmed for the race include the Kenyan trio of Joyciline Jepkosgei, Betsy Saina and Irine Cheptai as well as their Ethiopian counterparts Degitu Azimeraw, Hiwot Gebrekidan and Ashete Bekere.
The winners in each category are expected to receive a whopping prize money of $100,000 (approximately Ksh 12,882,780).
Moreover, should anyone break the current world records of 2:00.35 and 2:11.53 that was set by Kiptum and Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa in 2023, they will earn a bonus of $50,000 (approximately Ksh 6,441,390).
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