Kelvin Kiptum who on Sunday broke the Eliud Kipchoge record as the fastest marathoner, jetted back into the country on Tuesday. He was received by government officials together with his family members.
Ababu Namwamba who is the Sports Cabinet Secretary received Kiptum with a 5 Million cheque. This is the ammount that President Ruto promised on any record breaker back in June.
Kiptum ran a total of 2:00:35 to take off 34 seconds from Eliud Kipchoge who set the bar in Berlin last year. Kiptum has been crowned world athletic champion in the Chicago Marathon this year.
“I feel so happy. I was prepared. I knew I was coming for a course record, but fortunately [it was] a world record. A world record was not in my mind today, but I knew one time, one day I’d be a world record holder.” he said in a statement after the race.
The champion bags 14.9 Million after coming first in the race, additional 7.4 Million from Nike for breaking the record and 5 Million that President William Ruto promised for record breakers in international events.
That brings a total of 27.3 Million for Kelvin Kiptum for this race alone. On Tuesday, he was received by members of his family who celebrated the newly crowned champion.
He takes over the mantle from Eliud Kipchoge who has over the years dominated the long distance marathon that has made him recognised across the world.
Kenyans On X however have noted with concern that the the former Champion has not publicly congratulated Kiptum and has been silent since his record was broken. This has raised eyebrows although we can’t establish whether Kipchoge congratulated him via private means.
Also read:The Price Of Breaking Kipchoge’s World Record
We therefore take this opportunity to congratulate Kelvin Kiptum for his exemplary performance in the Chicago Marathon. Thank you for flying the kenyan flag high.