4 Kenyans Among Athletes Promised Ksh135 Million To Beat Kelvin Kiptum’s Record
The event’s organizers have promised to reward any runner who breaks the world marathon record with one million Euros, or around Ksh 134,900,000.
The Marathon’s Patron, Juan Roig, has been interested in increasing the popularity of the Valencia marathon, hence the decision to incentivize the competition by giving significant prizes.
“We want to announce that whoever breaks the world record will receive one million euros, if they break it in Valencia, of course. Paco Borao will give one half and I will give him the other half,” he said.
“One of our dreams is to break the world record here and we still have a lot of work to do. What I do know is that one day the world record will come to Valencia. I don’t know when, but it will come. We will fight for it,” he added.
The current world record for men is 2:00:35, while the women’s world record, which is awaiting certification, is 2:09:56.
Three Kenyans are set to compete in the men’s division in the marathon: Sabastian Sawe, Hillary Kipkoech, and Daniel Mateiko.
All three are expected to make their marathon debuts. Kenya has only one representative in the women’s race: Evaline Chirchir, who has a best marathon time of 2:22:11.
While breaking the world record will be challenging, one cannot rule out a Kenyan winning the race.
Kenyan athletes now hold the world records in both the men’s and women’s divisions. Ruth Chepngetich owns the women’s record after running a course record of 2:09:56 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.
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The men’s record is held by the late Kelvin Kiptum.
In memory of Kelvin Kiptum, relive his best moments and victories from the 2022 Valencia Marathon, 2023 London Marathon and 2023 Chicago Marathon where he broke the World Record, on SS Variety 4 Ch. 229. 🏃♂️💨
— DStv Kenya (@DStv_Kenya) February 12, 2024
Rest In Peace🕯️🕊️ pic.twitter.com/QUYU65LUyu
Kiptum’s performance at the 2023 Chicago Marathon generated global attention.
His sub-2:01 marathon run not only set a new world record but also established the 24-year-old as one of the most promising marathon athletes in history.
He died tragically in a vehicle accident in February, and a memorial was recently dedicated to guarantee his legacy goes on in Chicago’s streets.
4 Kenyans Among Athletes Promised Ksh135 Million To Beat Kelvin Kiptum’s Record
