Kelvin Kiptum eyes Chicago marathon podium finish

There is excitement in the air ahead of the much-anticipated Chicago marathon set for Sunday, October 8, when Kelvin Kiptum, the youngest marathoner to have run under 2:02:00, takes on the star-studded elite field.

All eyes have shifted to the 23-year-old Kiptum, who will be looking to settle matters come Sunday. Not since the late Samuel Wanjiru has there been so much focus on a budding male marathoner as there has been on Kiptum, who became one of the youngest winners of the London Marathon in April. He raced to a London course record of 2:01:25, the second-fastest time in history and just 16 seconds shy of Eliud Kipchoge's world record.

In December 2022, the youngster made his marathon debut during the 2022 Valencia Marathon, where he raced to the fastest debut in history. The two great runs have bred the belief that the marathoner is likely to rewrite history. Kiptum lines up for the Chicago Marathon alongside defending champion Benson Kipruto.

Many expected him to compete in last month's Berlin Marathon, but he said that he was saving his energy for the Chicago Marathon.

In an exclusive with Mozzart Sports, Kiptum noted that while breaking Eliud Kipchoge's world record time of 2:01:09 would be an uphill task, he had set his gaze on a podium finish at the Chicago Marathon.

"I have finished my training programme and I am heading to Chicago confident of doing well and registering good results. My target here is to run a course record that has been in existence since 2013, and I know if we compete well, we can achieve that," he disclosed.

Kiptum, who trains in the high-altitude area of Chepkorio in Elgeyo Marakwet County, believes that the difficult terrain will propel him to impressive results.

"I started preparing for the course in June, and it went on gradually from loading to vigorous training. I would train alternatively between Chepkorio and Kerio Valley to benefit from the two climatic conditions these places offer," he revealed.

Kiptum will be up against a strong contingent that includes Benson Kipruto, Bashir Abdi from Belgium, Kinde Atenaw of Ethiopia, and Ethiopian Dawit Wolde, among other competitors. He was aware of the challenge brought by the lineup but set his gaze on a podium finish.

"I have seen the lineup for the race, and it looks exciting. It will not be easy, but I will run my best race and just focus on being on the podium. I prepared well for the London Marathon in April because there was less rain compared to now. I have been battling the weather at training, but I am determined to complete the programme," he offered.

His main rival, Benson Kipruto, a regular podium finisher in major marathons over the past two years, won the men's race last year in 2:04:24, the fourth fastest time ever in Chicago. He contested the Boston Marathon earlier this year and achieved another podium finish, finishing third in 2:06:06. He returned to Boston two months later and raced over 10km to set a personal best of 28:39.

Kenyan John Korir, who was third in Chicago last year with a PB of 2:05:01, is also a force to be reckoned with in this race.

Men's Elite Field

Kelvin Kiptum (KEN): 2:01:25

Bashir Abdi (BEL): 2:03:36

Kinde Atenaw (ETH): 2:03:51

Benson Kipruto (KEN) 2:04:24

Dawit Wolde (ETH) 2:04:27

Seifu Tura (ETH) 2:04:29

John Korir (KEN) 2:05:01

Huseydin Mohamed (ETH) 2:05:05

Galen Rupp (USA): 2:06:07

Leonard Korir (USA): 2:07:56

Conner Mantz (USA): 2:08:16

Yuki Matsumura (JPN) 2:09:01

Takashi Ichida (JPN): 2:09:15

Matt McDonald (USA): 2:09:49

Mick Iacofano (USA): 2:09:55

Masashi Nonaka (JPN): 2:09:57

Daniel Mateiko's (KEN) debut

Wesley Kiptoo's (KEN) debut