Athletics

Kenya's 23-year-old Kiptum rewrites marathon history

Kenya's 23-year-old Kiptum rewrites marathon history

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)

By Dennis Tarus | Saturday, October 14, 2023

After Kiptum's latest fete, Kenyan athletes now claim 10 out of the 15 fastest Men's Marathon times in history.

Kelvin Kiptum's Chicago heroics last Sunday continued a checkered history of marathon dominance by Kenyan athletes.

Kiptum ran a breathtaking time of 2:00:35 to smash the world record previously held by his Kenyan compatriot Eliud Kipchoge who clocked 2:00:35 during the Berlin marathon last year.

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

Apart from being crowned the new marathon world record holder, Kiptum was earlier this week feted by the Kenyan Government by being awarded Sh5 million for his exemplary performance in the windy city.

After Kiptum's latest fete, Kenyan athletes now claim 10 out of the 15 fastest Men's Marathon times in history.

Here is a look at the fastest Men’s Marathon times in history;

Kelvin Kiptum (Kenyan) 2:00:35 Chicago Marathon - October 8, 2023 (Current World Record)

Eliud Kipchoge (Kenyan) 2:01:09 Berlin Marathon – September 25, 2022

Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopian) 2:01:41 Berlin Marathon – September 29, 2019

Birhanu Legese (Ethiopian) 2:02:48 Berlin Marathon – September 29, 2019

Mosinet Geremew (Ethiopian) 2:02:55 London Marathon – April 28, 2019

Dennis Kimetto (Kenyan) 2:02:57 Berlin Marathon – September 28, 2014

Titus Ekiru (Kenyan) 2:02:57 Milano Marathon – May 16, 2021

Evans Chebet (Kenyan) 2:03:00 Valencia Marathon – December 6, 2020

Gabriel Geay (Tanzanian) 2:03:00 Valencia Marathon – December 4, 2022

Lawrence Cherono (Kenyan) 2:03:04 Valencia Marathon – December 6, 2020

Emmanuel Mutai (Kenyan) 2:03:13 Berlin Marathon – September 28, 2014

Wilson Kipsang (Kenyan) 2:03:13 Berlin Marathon – September 25, 2016

Amos Kipruto (Kenyan) 2:03:13 Tokyo Marathon – March 6, 2022

Vincent Kipkemoi (Kenyan) 2:03:13 Berlin Marathon – September 24, 2023

Mule Wasihun (Ethiopian) 2:03:16 London Marathon – April 28, 2019

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