Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto has termed Kelvin Kiptum as the “new King of the Marathon”, following his win at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.
Ruto acknowledged that the marathoner had become the first to break the 2:01:00 barrier in athletics.
“Kelvin Kiptum has written a new chapter in Marathon history, winning the Chicago Marathon in a majestic, staggering, and mind-boggling time of 2:00:35,” he said.
“Congratulations, Kevin, a new King of the Marathon.”
Kiptum won the world record after running the race in an unofficial 2 hours and 35 seconds (2:00:35).
The Sunday win saw the 23-year-old break Kipchoge’s world record of 2:01:09 set at the 2022 Berlin Marathon.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has also celebrated Kiptum, describing his run as “sublime”.
“The Future is here. Congratulations to Kelvin Kiptum, the new men’s world record marathon holder, who smashed Eliud Kipchoge’s record of 2:01:09 by setting a new record of 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon,” he said.
“Your performance was sublime. Well in Benson Kipruto for finishing second.”
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also joined in to celebrate the win.
“What an astounding race by Kelvin Kiptum to break the World Marathon Record during the Chicago Marathon on Sunday,” he said.
“Lowering the Record set by the legend Eliud Kipchoge is just stupendous. This is superb.”
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party said Kiptum’s run was great, with an amazing finish.
“Congratulations to the Newest World Marathon Champion Kelvin Kiptum. That was a great run. An amazing finish,” it tweeted.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed congratulated Kiptum for flying the Kenyan flag high with the incredible win.
“Kelvin Kiptum leaves another indelible mark on the tracks of history! Finishing first at 2:00:35, Kiptum sets a new world record in the men’s marathon. Congratulations on hoisting the Kenyan flag high,” he said.
On his part, Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi celebrated Kiptum for “sustaining Kenya’s dominance in world athletics”.
“Congratulations, Kelvin Kiptum for setting a new world record of 2:00.35 in the #ChicagoMarathon We celebrate you, and all our athletes for sustaining Kenya’s dominance in world athletics,” he said.
KANU chairman Gideon Moi also congratulated the athlete.
“This is exhilarating! A bow in honor of Kelvin Kiptum for breaking the World Record in the 42-km Chicago Marathon and becoming the new record holder in the block,” he said.
“We celebrate this achievement.
Defence CS Aden Duale said, “Kelvin Kiptum becomes the new World record holder in the Men’s marathon, clocking out at 2:00:35, in the Chicago Marathon. What a feat! Congratulations!”
“Eliud Kipchoge showed us that nothing is impossible. 23-year-old Kelvin Kiptum ran an incredible race in Chicago and defied all parameters with a world record time of 2:00:35. We salute you Kiptum and look forward to watching you continue breaking records. We also salute all…,” Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
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