Kenya’s Kiptum sets new world marathon record 

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

Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum shattered the men’s world record to win Sunday’s Chicago Marathon in two hours and 35 seconds while Dutch runner Sifan Hassan won in the second-fastest women’s time in history.

Kiptum crushed the old world record of 2:01:09 set by Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge in winning the 2022 Berlin Marathon.

“I feel so happy,” Kiptum said. “I wasn’t prepared. I knew I was coming for a course record but fortunately a world record.”

It was Kiptum’s third victory in as many starts over the 26.2-mile distance. He won on his debut last December at Valencia and then in the London Marathon last April.

“I’m very happy,” Kiptum said.

Hassan won in 2:13:44, shattering the old course record of 2:14:04 by Kenyan Brigid Kosegi in 2019.

The 30-year-old Ethiopian-born runner’s time trailed only the women’s world record of 2:11:53 set by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa at last month’s Berlin Marathon.

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“I ran so great. I’m so happy,” Hassan said. “I ran an amazing time. I never thought I’d run 2:13. It’s amazing. It’s unbelievable.”

More than 47,000 runners raced in the 45th edition of the event in cool and cloudy conditions.

Kiptum’s run marked the third time a men’s world record had been set on the streets of Chicago but the first time since Morocco’s Khalid Khannouchi in 1999.

Kenyan Benson Kipruto, the 2022 Chicago winner, was a distant second in 2:04:02 with Belgium’s Bashir Abdi, the European record-holder who won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, third in 2:04:32.

Ethiopian Seifu Tura, the 2021 Chicago winner, was fifth in 2:05:29, 20 seconds behind Kenyan John Korir.

Before the finish, Kiptum was waving and blowing kisses at spectators before raising his arms in triumph at the finish line.

“I saw the time in front of me,” he said. “I felt good inside of me, maybe a little adrenaline.”

The old Chicago Marathon record of 2:03:45 was set by Kenyan Dennis Kimetto in 2013.

“Chicago is a flat course,” Kiptum said. “I thought I’d go and try Chicago.”

Kiptum was among six men who surged ahead at the start behind four half-marathon pacers. Kiptum pulled away from Kipruto after 5km and was joined by countryman Daniel Mateiko, who had been a pacer for Kiptum in London.

Kiptum reached the halfway mark in 1:00:48, just off world-record pace, and Kiptum pulled away from Mateiko with a 4:21 time in his 20th mile then reached 40km at 30 seconds under world-record pace, setting the stage for history.

‘Too hard’ 

Hassan competed only six weeks after taking 5,000m silver and 1,500m bronze at the World Athletics Championships, where she fell while leading the 10,000m final.

She was the Tokyo Olympic champion at 5,000m and 10,000m and won her marathon debut in April at London.

“I just love it,” Hassan said of the distance. “The pain and the time is so heavy but when you finish you want to do again. I love it. It’s unbelievable. I can’t describe it.”

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, who was chasing an unprecedented third consecutive women’s title, finished second in 2:15:37 — 1:53 behind Hassan — with Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu third in 2:17:09 and Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, the 2019 New York Marathon and 2021 London Marathon winner, fourth in 2:17:23.

Chepngetich and Hassan surged ahead early on world-record pace at 31:05 for 10km.

“It was so hard for me to start,” Hassan said. “I think we started too hard and I think we both broke.”

At the halfway mark, Chepngetich was at 1:05:42, six seconds ahead of Hassan with both still on world-record pace.

Hassan raced ahead just after the 25km mark, stretched her lead to 10 seconds at 30km and stayed in command to the end.

“I’m very happy for my training,” Hassan said. “I trained hard for it.”