Exactly a month after Kelvin Kiptum produced one of the most astonishing runs in marathon history by claiming the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in a world record time of 2:00.35, that figure looks to be already in big jeopardy.
And to get rid of any suspense … from the same man.
Appearing in the launch of his next marathon destination – the 2024 NN Rotterdam Marathon set for 14 April next year – in the Netherlands on Wednesday, Kiptum laid bare his intentions to go under his personal best over 42 km.
While the popular saying around this event might have been ‘no human is limited’, the confident Kiptum had a new saying: “There’s no limit to human energy” also accompanied by a conditional statement that led him to believe that he could get close to breaking the sub-2-hour barrier.
“I’ll try at least to beat my world record here,” Kiptum said while being presented the marathon bib Number One. “I know I’m capable of doing that if my preparation works out well and the conditions are ok.
“And in that case, I will get close to the sub-2 barrier. So why not aim to break it.”
Kiptum, who rightfully noted that his career “is just getting started”, is no stranger to the NN Rotterdam Marathon.
Back in 2019, he made his first appearance there, but as a pacer.
An attempt to return the following year was thwarted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic – which also saw the race canceled – and a start in 2022 was not to be after he suffered “small injuries” leading to the race.
“I want to return here to run fast,” Kiptum said. “This flat course lends itself to fast times and the enthusiastic masses of people along the road push us forward.
“I would like to be part of the rich history of this marathon.”
The current course record is 2:03:36, set in 2021 by Somali-Belgian marathoner Bashir Abdi, who also emerged the winner of this year’s event in a time of 2:03.47.
A stat Kiptum might lean on is that the Rotterdam Marathon has witnessed three world records being set there; in 1985, 1988, and 1998.
157 days remain for the 2023 London marathon champion to line up at the foot of Erasmusbrug.
