Athletics

New world record holder Kelvin Kiptum awarded Sh5m after marathon heroics

New marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his family receive a cheque of Sh5 million from Youth and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba at the Weston Hotel in Nairobi on October 10, 2023. (Photo: Celestine Karoney/Twitter)

By Dennis Tarus | Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Kiptum shattered the world record previously held by his Kenyan compatriot Eliud Kipchoge after clocking 2:00:35.

The government has awarded new marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum Sh5 million after his heroics last Sunday during the Chicago Marathon.

Kiptum shattered the world record previously held by his Kenyan compatriot Eliud Kipchoge after clocking 2:00:35.

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Kipchoge's record stood at 2:01:09 after he won the 2022 Berlin Marathon.

Soon after jetting into the country on Tuesday, Kiptum was treated to a grand reception at Nairobi's Weston Hotel by the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs and Sports Ababu Namwamba.

It was song and dance as Kiptum was the second athlete rewarded by the state for his exemplary performance in just three months.

Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum celebrates winning the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in Chicago, Illinois, in a world record time of two hours and 35 seconds on October 8, 2023. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP)

The 23-year-old who hails from the "Home of Champions" Elgeyo Marakwet County, also holds the London and Valencia marathon titles.

In July this year, President William Ruto rewarded 1,500m World record holder and middle-distance sensation Faith Kipyegon at State House, Nairobi.

The Chicago Marathon has become a favourite venue for world records, this being the third time the record has been smashed in the windy city.

The other previous world records were held by Morocco's Khalid Khannouchi in 1999 and Kenya's Dennis Kimetto in 2013.