Kelvin Kiptum obliterated the marathon world record on Sunday evening and fans are shocked that Eliud Kipchoge is yet to congratulate the 23-year-old.
Kiptum clocked 2:00:35 to cross the finish line and completely shutter Kipchoge’s world record time of 2:01:09 that he set at the Berlin Marathon last year.
However, there is no bad blood between the two since a past video of Kipchoge praising the reigning London Marathon champion has emerged.
The video was taken after Kiptum made his debut at the Valencia Marathon and won, clocking the fastest debut time ever. He clocked 2:01:53 to win the race and has never looked back since then.
Eliud Kipchoge's reaction when Kelvin Kiptum made his marathon debut in Valencia winning in 2:01:53 (fastest marathon debut).
"I'm not worried at all….In fact, I'm the happiest man that there are other people who can run 2:01" pic.twitter.com/dksPaOgpfg
— Kenya Track & Field (@TrackFieldKE) October 9, 2023
In the video, Kipchoge is heard saying: “I’m not worried at all…you know, that’s sport. Today somebody else can break a world record and tomorrow I can break it.
“I have broken the world record back-to-back. So, it’s good for him (Kiptum) to run 2:01 back-to-back. I have no worry at all…in fact, I’m the happiest man that there are other people who can run 2:01.”
However, since Kiptum broke his world record on Sunday at the Chicago Marathon, the five-time Berlin Marathon champion is yet to laud his compatriot for the feat.
Kipchoge had gone to this year’s edition of the Berlin Marathon with the hope of breaking his world record for the third time but unfortunately failed. He clocked 2:02:42 to win the race ahead of debutant Vincent Kipkemoi.
The four-time London Marathon champion opened his season at the Boston Marathon earlier this year but failed to make an impression after finishing sixth due to a problem with his left leg.
Kipchoge’s focus has now shifted to the Olympic Games next year where he will bid to become the first man to win the Olympic title in the marathon three times.
