- Kelvin Kiptum was a Kenyan long-distance runner and the marathon world record holder at the time of his death
- He was the only person in history to run the marathon under two hours and one minute in a record-eligible race, having previously ran three of the seven-fastest marathons in history
- Although the renowned marathoner has tragically passed away due to an accident, here are some intriguing details and information about him that remain relatively unknown to the wider world
Kiptum won three marathons he participated in, all renowned, including two top-tier World Marathon Majors (WMM), and held between December 2022 and October 2023. The times he achieved are three of the six fastest times in history, a course record under 2:02 in each case, making him the only man ever to break this barrier thrice.
Kelvin Kiptum made headlines across the globe with his remarkable feat of surpassing Eliud Kipchoge’s marathon record in Chicago back in October. His extraordinary achievement not only solidified his place in the annals of marathon history but also piqued curiosity about his life beyond the track.
Here are 10 intriguing facts shedding light on the life and career of this ratified marathoner:
Birth in sleepy village
Kelvin Kiptum was born on 2 December 1999 and grew up in Chepsamo village, Chepkorio—the high-altitude (~2600 m) area in picturesque Elgeyo-Marakwet County of Kenya’s Rift Valley. It is located some 30 km east of Eldoret, on the southeastern border of the Kaptagat forest, and just near the edge of the meridional Elgeyo (Keiyo) escarpment to the east, which rapidly gives way to the lower Kerio Valley (800–1,200 m). Together with nearby counties of Kenya, the region is known as the birthplace of many renowned Kenyan runners and also as a mecca for foreign runners. As a young boy, he herded his family’s cattle and began following other barefoot runners along the forest trails. Kiptum started training around 2013, when he was 13 years old.
Uphill Beginnings
Despite his eventual glory, Kiptum’s journey to stardom faced skepticism within his family during his secondary school years. His uncle, Kiplagat Cheruiyot, revealed how doubts loomed over Kiptum’s potential success on the track, with some urging him to prioritize education over running due to financial constraints, including a lack of proper training shoes.
Defying the Odds
Kiptum’s breakthrough in marathons began with victories at the Eldoret and Kass Half Marathons in 2018 and 2019, respectively, before conquering the global stage with wins at the Valencia, London, and ultimately the Chicago Marathons within a span of just three years.
Record-Breaking Pace
The 24-year-old sensation etched his name in the record books with a blistering marathon time of 2:00:35, eclipsing Kipchoge’s previous record set in Berlin. Kiptum’s meticulous race strategy saw him maintain an impressive average pace of approximately 2:51 min/km, outpacing Kipchoge’s record-setting pace in several segments of the race.
Insane Training Regimen
Kiptum’s success isn’t just a product of natural talent but also of relentless training. Coached by Gervais Hakiziman, Kiptum’s training regimen is nothing short of grueling, with weekly distances ranging from 250 to over 300km, surpassing even Kipchoge’s rigorous routine.
Heroics in Valencia
Kiptum’s prowess was on full display in Valencia, where he made a spectacular marathon debut, clocking a time of 2:01:53 and becoming only the third man ever to break the 2:02 barrier. His strategic pacing and unmatched determination propelled him to victory, setting a new course record and solidifying his status as a rising star in the marathon world.
Early Struggles
Before his meteoric rise, Kiptum faced numerous setbacks, including a modest start to his marathon career with a 10th place finish at the Eldoret Half Marathon at just 13 years old. Despite initial disappointments, Kiptum persevered, eventually claiming victory in subsequent races and carving his path to greatness.
International Debut
Kiptum made his mark on the international stage in 2019 at the Lisbon Half Marathon, where he finished fifth with a new personal best time of 59:54. This marked the beginning of his ascent to prominence in the marathon circuit.
