Kelvin Kiptum: Chasing World Records at NN Rotterdam Marathon
Kelvin Kiptum, with a history of breaking records, aims to rewrite world records at the NN Rotterdam Marathon. Discover his journey from a stunning marathon debut to etching his name with a world record in Chicago, as he pushes for the elusive sub-two-hour barrier.
Kiptum Sets Sights on Rotterdam Marathon World Record
Just weeks after shattering the world record in Chicago, Kelvin Kiptum has already set his sights on rewriting the mark when he lines up for the prestigious NN Rotterdam Marathon – a World Athletics Gold Label road race – on April 14, 2024.
The Kenyan athlete is no stranger to Rotterdam, having served as a pacemaker at the 2019 edition of the event. He had intended to make his marathon debut there in 2022, but injuries prevented his participation.
Kiptum eventually made his much-anticipated marathon debut in Valencia later that year, stunning the world with a blistering time of 2:01:53. He then outdid himself in London earlier this year, winning the race in 2:01:25. But his greatest feat came last month in Chicago, where he etched his name in the history books with an astonishing world record of 2:00:35.
“I want to return here to run fast,” Kiptum said during a recent press conference in Rotterdam. “This flat course lends itself to fast times, and the enthusiastic crowds along the road push us forward. I would love to be a part of the rich history of this prestigious marathon.”
Kiptum is determined to take another shot at the world record, and possibly even the elusive sub-two-hour barrier. “I’ll try at least to beat my world record here,” he added. “I know I’m capable of doing that, if my preparation goes well and the conditions are favorable. And in that case, I will get close to the two-hour mark, so why not aim to break it? That might sound ambitious, but I’m not afraid of setting such goals. There’s no limit to human potential.”
Rotterdam has long been a hub for groundbreaking world records. In 1985, Carlos Lopes became the first man to run a sub-2:08 marathon, clocking 2:07:12. Three years later, Belayneh Dinsamo broke the 2:07 barrier with 2:06:50, a record that stood for a decade. And in 1998, Tegla Loroupe became the first woman to break the 2:21 mark, setting a new world record of 2:20:47 in the city.
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