Eliud Kipchoge reacts to Kelvin Kiptum's marathon world record: "I was not surprised, and happy to see the record broken"
The Kenyan marathon star is in Spain to receive the 2023 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. Kipchoge says he is looking forward to facing Kiptum, possibly at Paris 2024, and wants to see more records being broken as he has "shown them the way."
Athletics
For the last decade, the marathon world has been abuzz about the incredible achievements of one-man: Eliud Kipchoge.
The double Olympic champion, who is also a two-time world record holder, was the fastest man ever over the 42.2km (26.2 mile) marathon distance.
That was until October 8, 2023, when Kelvin Kiptum stunned the world by smashing Kipchoge's record. The Kenyan shaved 34 seconds off Kipchoge’s time from Berlin 2022, with a time of 2:00:35, winning the Chicago marathon.
Kipchoge though, says he wasn’t shocked by the times posted by his compatriot.
"I was not surprised about [Kiptum] breaking the world record,” Kipchoge told a press conference on Friday, 20 October, in Oviedo, Asturias.
“I was happy to see the record being broken…I am looking forward to seeing records being broken because I have shown them the way.”
The Kenyan marathon great is in the north of Spain to receive the 2023 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. The award is for his outstanding achievements as a long-distance runner and the work he does through his foundation to promote education and environmental protection.
Kipchoge, who last September became the first man to win the Berlin Marathon for a record fifth time, reiterated his focus for now ahead of the Olympic year in Paris.
“I will be the happiest on earth to win an Olympic medal for the third time, back-to-back-to-back. It’s about making history; it’s about inspiring a generation.”
Elud Kipchoge on Kelvin Kiptum's world record: 'The beauty of sport is breaking records'
Nearly two weeks after his awe-inspiring run, Kelvin Kiptum continues to grab headlines, even around Kipchoge.
What did Kipchoge, who holds the unofficial record at 1:59:40.2, and missed bettering his previous official world record of 2:01:09 at his last race in Berlin, think of the new marathon mark?
“I always believe that the beauty of sport is breaking records," he offers on the new world record. "Sport is about competing, sport is about competition,”
“If records are being broken every now and then, that’s the beauty of sport. It shows that people are working somewhere, setting goals, and working towards those goals.”
“I am looking forward to seeing records being broken because I have shown them the way. I broke the record two times, I have run 2:00:25, I have broken the two-hour barrier. I have done it in a good way as an example to the next generation.”- Eliud Kipchoge
In fact, the new world record, set by Kiptum in only his third marathon, may have revived Kipchoge’s sub two-hour barrier dream.
Exactly four years ago, Kipchoge made history with his 1:59:40 unofficial time in Vienna, the fastest any runner had ever covered the marathon.
“I am still hungry of running fast,” he says of his future marathon plans that could include lining up against the new world record holder, potentially at Paris 2024.
“I am [always] competing with myself. I set my own goals, I treat myself as the best in training and in competition. I am really urging everybody to work very hard in order for us to compete to make sure we break records. It’s the only way to enjoy sports, if all of us can compete in this competitive run of marathon.”
“If my goal is to break a record, I am coming for a record,” he continues on how he aligns his running goals with his training.
“If my goal is to win, I'll come for a win. If my goal is to run a fast time and win, I’ll come for a win. So, in training I set a goal that I need to run such a time, I need to run fast...
"Mostly, I am trying to push my limits all the time. I believe every race I have an opportunity to push any limit [possible]. That’s the beauty of training, you need to put in action what you have been doing for five-six months.”
Eliud Kipchoge/Kelvin Kiptum match-up at Paris 2024 very likely
The two top marathoners could line up together for the first time at the Olympics in Paris.
Kiptum, who referred to Kipchoge as a 'role model and a great inspiration', is harbouring the ‘Olympic dream’ in what could be one of the deepest fields in Olympic marathon history.
In Tokyo, Kipchoge cemented his status as an Olympic legend by joining Ethiopia's Abebe Bikila (1960 and 1964) and East Germany's Waldemar Cierpinski (1976 and 1980) as the only runners - male or female - to win consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games.
The 38-year-old is almost assured of his position in the competitive Kenyan team as the defending champion, and also as the second-fastest man in the world.
“Three people have now won it twice, including myself and I will be working really hard to make sure that I win for the third time. It's about telling people that longevity in sport is possible as far as inspiration is concerned,” Kipchoge said.
The Kenyan is among a galaxy of stars including American actress Meryl Streep (recipient of the art award) who are in the Northern city of Oviedo to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports.
“When I received the news, I was overwhelmed," Kipchoge shared.
"Being recognized in sport is crucial. With the contribution of education and environment and the inspiration to the next generation in running. I am happy to receive the award, knowing that I have inspired someone, somewhere. I am always campaigning to making this world a running world.
Kenyan marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge poses with Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia in Oviedo, Spain. He is the 2023 recipient of the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports.