Kelvin Kiptum, the breakout star of the London Marathon, has his sights set on a monumental feat: shattering Eliud Kipchoge’s world marathon record. His quest will captivate the world at the upcoming 2023 Chicago Marathon on October 8. Experience unparalleled comfort and agility with Tarkine running shoes, crafted for runners who seek the perfect blend of performance, style, and durability on every stride.
Kiptum’s remarkable victory at the London Marathon on April 23 left the world in awe. He conquered the grueling race in a remarkable time of 2:01:25, a performance that came agonizingly close to eclipsing Eliud Kipchoge’s world record of 2:01:09, established at the 2022 Berlin Marathon.
Rising Star’s Journey to Marathon Greatness
Kelvin Kiptum burst onto the international running scene with a breathtaking performance at the 2022 Valencia Marathon. He completed his marathon debut in a jaw-dropping time of 2:01:53, earning a place in an exclusive club as only three individuals in history have finished marathons in under 2:02. Kiptum achieved this incredible feat at the young age of 23.
Kiptum took to social media to announce his eagerly anticipated participation in the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. His Facebook post read, “I’m gearing up for the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Brace yourselves for a spectacle!”
In a strategic move, the elite athlete chose to forgo competing in the Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championships and the Berlin Marathon. His decision to channel his efforts towards Chicago has intensified the excitement surrounding the event.
Running enthusiasts worldwide had been eagerly anticipating a thrilling showdown between Kiptum and the two-time Olympic champion, Eliud Kipchoge, at the Berlin Marathon. However, Kiptum’s decision to focus on Chicago has left fans eagerly awaiting a captivating encounter between these exceptional athletes.
Elite Contenders in Chicago
Kelvin Kiptum will be joined at the Chicago Marathon by none other than Benson Kipruto, the reigning 2022 Chicago Marathon champion. Kipruto achieved a personal best time of 2:04:24 during his victorious run. He also clinched third place in both the 2022 and 2023 Boston Marathons, clocking impressive times of 2:07:27 and 2:06:06, respectively.
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The Kenyan contingent in Chicago includes John Korir, boasting a marathon best of 2:05:01, as well as debutants Daniel Mateiko and Wesley Kiptoo. However, they face stiff competition from Somali-based Belgian athlete Bashir Abdi, the gold medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
USA’s Galen Rupp: A Hometown Hope
Representing the host nation is the USA’s Galen Rupp, a silver medalist in the men’s 10,000m at the London Olympics and a bronze medalist in the men’s marathon at the 2016 Rio Olympics. His presence adds an intriguing element to the race.
Defending champion Ruth Chepngetich leads the women’s pack, aiming to break Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa’s recent record of 2:11:53, set at the Berlin Marathon. Chepngetich came tantalizingly close to breaking Brigid Kosgei’s previous world record of 2:14:04, falling short by just 14 seconds.
International Women’s Competition
Joining Chepngetich is Joyciline Jepkosgei, the runner-up in the 2022 London Marathon, and Stacy Ndiwa, with a personal best time of 2:31:53.
Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba, a world record holder in indoor mile, 3,000m, and 5,000m, poses a formidable challenge for the Kenyan women. She is also a gold medalist in the 1,500m at the 2015 World Championships.
Adding to the intrigue is Emily Sisson of the USA, the current American record holder in the marathon. She set the record on October 9 during the Chicago Marathon, finishing impressively in a time of 2:18:29.
Record-Breaking Participation in Chicago
The 2023 Chicago Marathon has garnered unprecedented attention, with a record-breaking field of 47,000 participants, making it the largest edition in its storied history. This surpasses the previous record of 45,932 participants from the 2019 event. As the world eagerly anticipates this historic event, all eyes will be on Chicago as these elite athletes converge for a competition that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.
