Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot is a Kenyan long-distance runner who made history in the world of marathon running. Born on December 2, 1999, in Chepkorio, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya, Kelvin Kiptum biography speaks volumes of achievements that have solidified his place as one of the most exceptional athletes in the sport.
Kiptum set a new record in the 2023 Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2023, where he smashed Eliud Kipchoge’s World record with a time of 2:00:35.
Kelvin Kiptum biography and profile summary
| Full name | Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot |
| Born | 2 December 1999 |
| Age | 24 |
| Home County | Elgeyo-Marakwet, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Events | Long-distance running |
| World record | 2:00:35 (Chicago 2023) |
| Coach | Gervais Hakizimana |
Kiptum’s entry into running
Kelvin Kiptum hails from the famed running region of Kenya where countless elite long-distance runners have also emerged.
His journey to becoming a marathon world record holder began in October 2018.
At just 18 years old, Kiptum, who was initially self-coached, triumphed at the Family Bank Half Marathon in Eldoret with an impressive time of 1:02:01.
Emerging on the international stage
As time went by, Kiptum’s talent quickly caught the attention of the international running community.
In March 2019, he made his international debut at the Lisbon Half Marathon in Portugal, where he finished fifth with a new personal best time of 59:54.
Throughout that year, Kiptum continued to compete in various races across northern and western Europe.
In 2020, Kelvin Kiptum took his training to the next level by working with Rwandan 3000-meter steeplechase record holder Gervais Hakizimana as his coach.
This marked a significant turning point in his career, as his times began to improve dramatically. In December 2020, at 21, Kiptum set an impressive consecutive half marathon lifetime best of 58:42, securing the sixth position at the Valencia Half Marathon in Spain.
Kelvin Kiptum World records
At the 2022 Valencia Marathon, Kiptum ran the fastest-ever debut marathon, becoming only the third man in history to break the elusive two-hour-and-two-minute barrier. His performance at Valencia proved his incredible talent and a sign of greater things to come.
In the 2023 London Marathon, Kiptum further solidified his status as a marathon prodigy. He clocked an astonishing time of 2:01:25, missing the world record by just 16 seconds. This remarkable achievement was particularly impressive given that it was his debut at a World Marathon Major.
However, at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023, Kelvin Kiptum achieved what many believed to be impossible.
In a race that will be remembered for generations, Kiptum shattered the marathon world record with a jaw-dropping time of 2:00:35, breaking the two-hour-and-one-minute barrier in a record-eligible race. This achievement made him the first and only person in history to accomplish such a feat.
Kelvin Kiptum biography from a self-coached runner in Kenya to a world-record-breaking marathoner is nothing short of remarkable. His outstanding achievements in the world of marathon running have secured him a place in the annals of athletic history and also inspired countless aspiring runners worldwide.
