NEW DELHI: In a remarkable feat, Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum secured victory in the men's title at Sunday's Chicago Marathon, setting a new world record with an unofficial time of two hours and 35 seconds.
The 23-year-old athlete broke the previous world record of 2:01:09, which had been set by Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge during the 2022 Berlin Marathon.
"I feel so happy," Kiptum said. "I wasn't prepared. I knew I was coming for a course record but fortunately a world record."
It was Kiptum's third victory in as many starts over the 26.2-mile distance. He won on his debut last December at Valencia and then in London Marathon last April.
"I'm very happy," Kiptum said. "A world record was not in my mind today. I knew one day one time I'd be a world-record holder."
It marked the third time a men's world record had been set on the streets of Chicago but the first time since Morocco's Khalid Khannouchi in 1999.
Before the finish, Kiptum was waving and blowing kisses at spectators before raising his arms in triumph at the finish line.
"I saw the time in front of me," he said. "I felt good inside of me, maybe a little adrenaline."
The old Chicago Marathon record of 2:03:45 was set by Kenyan Dennis Kimetto in 2013.
"Chicago is a flat course," Kiptum said. "I thought I'd go and try Chicago."
(With AFP inputs)
