Injury-free Amos Kipruto plots his comeback in Chicago: "I want to show that I am still capable of winning"
The Kenyan marathon star is targeting his first win since his 2022 London Marathon victory in Chicago. But that will not be his only purpose when he lines up on 13 October. He will also be racing to honour the memory of the late world record holder Kelvin Kiptum.
When Amos Kipruto ruled the streets of London in 2022, the Kenyan affirmed his status as a top-notch long-distance runner.
He's already done enough to seal a spot in Kenya’s fiercely competitive Olympic team, competing at Tokyo 2020 in 2021, but his second career marathon victory, on the roads of the British capital, ensured his name was being talked about as one who might challenge the world record.
Fast-forward two years and Kipruto isn’t quite where he’d hoped to be. His journey to the 2024 Chicago Marathon has been a long one.
He returned to London as the favourite last year, but was unable to defend his title, with Kelvin Kiptum securing the crown, shortly before his untimely death.
Kipruto's ranking then dropped further when Eliud Kipchoge claimed a historic fifth victory in Berlin later in September.
Now, Kipruto wants to reintroduce himself at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, with a statement run that will open and close his rather quiet season.
“My goal is to try to run a personal best,” Kipruto said. “I want to show the world that I am still the kind of athlete who is capable of winning a major”
The Kenyan is among the stars that will compete at the 46th edition of the Chicago Marathon, on Sunday, 13 October.
Amos Kipruto keen to put disappointing season behind him
When Kipruto secured the biggest win of his career in London, it was almost a surprise victory.
The 2019 World Championships bronze medallist was competing for the first time in the British capital, despite having reached the podium at three previous World Marathon Majors.
That run was the beginning of a change in fortune for the 32-year-old, who dropped out of what he hoped would be the biggest, best race of his life - a tendon tear injury ended his Tokyo Olympics challenge in Sapporo.
So London was a redemption of sorts.
“I was ready for it,” he said shortly after his win. “I have been trying to get on the podium, but this is the day.”
But since then, there have been no more crowning moments for Kipruto, who trains with Italian coach Claudio Berardelli at the 2Running Club in Kapsabet - a medal-laden camp.
The training group in Nandi County is also where Benson Kipruto, the Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist and 2022 Chicago Marathon Champion, the 2023 Boston Marathon winner Evans Chebet, as well as the reigning Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi are based.
“I have been out for a long time…since last season because I got an injury,” Kipruto told Daily sport. He's only documented competition since Berlin 2023 has been a 10km run in Gabon in June.
“I was supposed to race in London [2024], but it was late. I tried to treat it, but I decided to be patient and focus on the treatment, but now I am focused on the next race."
Kipruto has also been candid about the mental struggle he faced for most of the season.
“In 2020, I got a tendon tear injury and I went through some low moments, but my coach Claudio and the management supported me, and gave me hope that I will be back.”
He is going in fresh and focussed on his first racing in the United States.
“I am back and injury free,” Kipruto continued.
“I have a big challenge and a big task ahead of me. I know I must work hard, so that I can prove that I can still [win].”
Amos Kipruto to run in honour of Kelvin Kiptum
His choice of Chicago for his comeback run was also intentional and symbolic.
Last year, Kipruto was at the finish line when Kiptum shattered the world record in Chicago. And his start and finish at the Grant Park course will be in honour of his compatriot, who was on a meteoric path before he was killed in a road accident last February.
“He was a man of few words and I remember after he broke the record, I met him at the finish line and congratulated him. With the few races he has done, he really challenged me that there is more I can still do at my age to improve on career and I believe despite his death, as marathoners we have to dig deeper in our training, he said in an interview with the Nation of the late marathoner whom he also raced at the 2023 London Marathon.
Then, Kiptum went ahead to win in a course record of 2:01:25, while Kipruto collapsed after experiencing some abdominal pains, some two kilometres from the finish line.
“His memories will remain because he became the first person to run under 2:01. This is a challenge to me as a marathoner.”
Indeed, he has all the motivation for what he hopes will be another race for books.
Kipruto and countryman Vincent Ngetich, who both have similar personal bests, lead a men’s field that also includes debutant Daniel Ebenyo, the Kenyan 2023 World Championships silver medallist in the 10,000m.