Chicago Marathon to honor world record holder Kelvin Kiptum ahead of the 2024 edition, months after the Kenyan's tragic death 

By Animesh Pandey

Modified Oct 13, 2024 12:51 GMT

Organizers of the Chigaco Marathon 2024 paid tribute to marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum. The former Kenyan runner was honored for his achievements at the previous edition.

In their post on Instagram, Chicago Marathon recounted the occasion when Kiptum did the unthinkable at the Chicago Marathon 2023. The Instagram page of Chicago Marathon mentioned,

"The 2 hours and 35 seconds that Kelvin Kiptum spent on Chicago’s streets last October will be moments forever remembered in the history of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. This year, as we acknowledge the loss and void at the start line, we want to remember his legacy."

"........We challenge you all to set your own record as you run in his footsteps, on a World Record course.Join us in reliving the magical day of October 8, 2023 by reading the Official Program story, 'Redefining Possible.' Link in bio," the post further mentioned.

Kelvin Kiptum clocked 2:00.35 hours to win the Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2023, thus setting a new world record for men's marathon. The current edition shall be held on October 13. The course begins at Grand Avenue and ends at Roosevelt Road.

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Kelvin Kiptum's short but remarkable career

Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya at the World Athletics Awards 2023 [Image Source : Getty]

Kelvin Kiptum had a short international career of less than two years. However, he achieved records that would take professional athletes at least years to achieve, if not decades.

The 24-year-old long-distance runner participated in a marathon at the age of just 13. Kiptum finished 10th in his first half marathon, which he ran in Kenya in 2013. In March 2019, Kiptum participated in the Lisbon Half Marathon, which was his first international race as well. He recorded a personal best of 59:54 minutes, finishing fifth overall.

However, it was in early 2022 when Kiptum's career took a turn for the better. The Kenyan runner participated in the Valencia Marathon, which he won with a timing of 2:01.53 hours, only 14 seconds short of the world record set by teammate Eliud Kipchoge, the reigning Olympic champion with two consecutive Olympic gold medals to his credit.

Since then, there has been no looking back. Kiptum further improved his timing to 2:01.25 at the London Marathon held in April 2023. Once again, Kiptum's timing was just 16 seconds short of Kipchoge's new world record of 2:01.09, which he created at the Berlin Marathon in 2022.

However, it was at the Chicago Marathon in 2023 when Kiptum finally proved his mettle. He broke the world record with a new timing of 2:00.35, winning the marathon with flying colors.

Kiptum was now expected to reach new heights and make it big at the Paris Olympics. However, a car crash in early 2024 brought it hurtling down. Kelvin Kiptum was only 24 years old when he left for his heavenly abode.