How Chicago Marathon will honor departed legend Kelvin Kiptum
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 08.10.24. | 20:32
In honour of his record, organizers of the Chicago Marathon have planned several tributes to honour Kiptum’s legacy.
The upcoming Chicago Marathon slated for Sunday 13 October will pay homage to the late marathon legend Kelvin Kiptum, a year after his record-breaking performance that captivated the athletics world.
At just 23, Kiptum set a new standard in marathon racing, becoming the first man to officially complete the distance in under two hours and one minute. He clocked an astonishing 2:00:35.
That performance shaved 34 seconds off the world marathon record. It also saw Kiptum improve his personal best by 50 seconds to surpass the world record of 2:01:09 set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin in September 2022.
His record was ratified on Tuesday 6 February 2024. Tragically, six days later after the ratification, the youngster died in a road accident that happened in Kaptagat. He died alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana.
In honour of his record, organizers of the Chicago Marathon have planned several tributes to honour Kiptum’s legacy.
Race Director Carey Pinkowski said the race will begin with a moment of silence, giving participants, spectators, and officials a chance to reflect on Kiptum’s remarkable achievements and his indelible impact on the sport.
“Kelvin’s incredible talent and spirit are still very much alive in everyone’s thoughts. He’s with us, and it’s our plan to celebrate his life,” Pinkowski told Reuters.
“I was so impressed by his biomechanics and his ability was just effortless—it was like something I’ve never seen before. He was running against the stopwatch, against history, and he just ran. In my opinion, he was the best I’ve ever seen,” the race director continued.
In addition to the moment of silence, the Chicago Marathon will feature a special exhibit at the pre-race expo, displaying photos and memorabilia from Kiptum’s short yet remarkable career.
Participants will also receive memorial stickers to wear, allowing them to carry his memory with them as they traverse the streets of Chicago.
The Chicago race is known for its flat course and fast times. Six world records have been set there but Kiptum's achievement was astonishing as he became the first man to run a record-sanctioned marathon faster than 2:01.
Earlier in 2023, he won the London Marathon with a course record of 2:01:25, further cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s most promising talents.
His untimely passing left a void, but his legacy lives on.
