HE Death of world marathon record holder Kelvin KiptumThe duel that the Kenyan runner would play with his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge on the Paris asphalt in the 2017 marathon left him orphaned. Olympic GamesIt’s an event that will engage millions of viewers around the planet with the double incentive of knowing who will win and whether anyone can make it under two hours.
The legendary Kipchoge, the best marathon runner in history, against Kiptum, The fastest of promise and distance. Two styles, two different athletes, but the same passion and the same struggle, trying to enter the golden book of world athletics by covering many kilometers and breaking the barrier in two hours.
In one of the star organizations of athletics, Double Olympic champion Kipchoge aims to win third gold medal in Paris. It will be easier for you now. His main rival, young Kiptum, met his death on the road between Eldoret and Kaptagat while driving a Toyota Premio with his coach Gervais Hakizimana.
His death put an end to a short sports career. Kiptum, 24, had only run three marathons. He debuted in Valencia in December 2022, achieving the fastest time in history for a rookie in the race (2 hours 01:53), and later in 2023 he won in London with 2 hours 01:25, breaking the record on October 8 broke. The world record for the distance is 2 hours 00:35, taking the previous record from Kipchoge.
“I have not received a personal message from Eliud Kipchoge, but if I am selected to participate in the Paris Olympic Games, “I’m ready to run with it” Kiptum said in the Kenyan media a few days after the win in Chicago.
Kiptum’s emergence has reopened the debate on whether Kipchoge can continue to win or whether the young Kenyan will be his worthy successor on his own merits. During this time, Kipchoge was sending messages about his ambitions to win a third Olympic gold in Paris. The road map for this will stop at the Tokyo marathon in preparation. Kiptum had planned Rotterdam, a marathon with less impact and prestige but a very fast one.. Ideal for getting another good grade.
What is clear is that Kipchoge left its mark on an era in world athletics and his figure still exists and continues to be highly respected in the international community. Kiptum burst onto the athletics scene as an emerging talent with future qualities who would leave his mark on another era.
“Kipchoge has left his mark on an era. The show he does, everything he does and how he does it makes him an example to everyone. Kiptum is new and may be the first person to run under two hours, but “I choose Kipchoge because of her grace, the way she knows how to be, the way she faces victory and failure.”Yago Rojo, Spanish half marathon champion and aspiring to be on the starting line of the Paris Olympic marathon, told EFE on February 6.
That very day, February 6, 2024, the World Athletics Championships officially approved Kiptum’s 2:00:35 run at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, which every athletics lover will remember. Moreover Another legend like Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, three-time Olympic champion in 5,000 and 10,000 meters, A double winner of the Berlin marathon, the 41-year-old is focusing all his efforts on being part of the historic snapshot of the Paris Olympic marathon, the pinnacle of his career.
This photo can no longer be completed. February 11, 2024 will forever be recorded as a tragic date in world athletics albums. The date Kiptum left behind and died The big unknown is whether he will be the first person to dive under two hours. At the legendary distance of 42,195 meters.