Do you remember what you were doing on October 8, 2023? Surely, like many lovers of this sport, glued to the TV, PC or cell phone watching the feat of Kelvin Kiptum. Watching how the Kenyan overcame the barrier of 2 hours and 1 minute and crossed the finish line of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2:00:35.
No one could have imagined that day that a year later he would again be the protagonist of the Chicago Marathon, but for a very different reason. On Sunday, before the start of this Major, a respectful minute of silence will be observed in Kiptum’s memory. 50,000 runners will participate in a tribute to the man who was destined to break 2 hours in the marathon distance.
A tribute that could also be paid by his compatriot Amos Kipruto, winner of the 2022 London Marathon, if he wins on Sunday. His rival to beat will be Vicent Ngetich, runner-up in Berlin 2023. Among the women, Ruth Chepgetich, who last year was only surpassed by the incomparable Sifan Hassan, and the Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei.
The Chicago Marathon, besides being attractive for popular runners because it is part of the Majors, also attracts elite athletes for having a fast and flat course that runs through the 29 neighborhoods of the city and in which world records can be achieved, as was demonstrated last year. And so it is endorsed by the 6 world records achieved in the American city.
This year we will have to follow it on television or through networks. But what if we go next year?
