Benson Kipruto expresses surprise after breaking Eliud Kipchoge’s Tokyo Marathon course record

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ATHLETICS Benson Kipruto expresses surprise after breaking Eliud Kipchoge’s Tokyo Marathon course record

Festus Chuma 11:32 - 03.03.2024

Benson Kipruto has expressed joy and surprise at breaking the Tokyo Marathon course record.

Benson Kipruto has expressed his astonishment at setting a new course record while leading a Kenyan podium sweep at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon early Sunday morning. 

The marathon, known for its challenging course and competitive field, witnessed an unprecedented performance by Kipruto, a former Boston and Chicago marathon winner, who finished the race in a record-breaking time of 2:02:16. 

His compatriots, Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Ngetich, followed closely, securing second and third places with times of 2:02:55 and 2:04:18, respectively.

"I didn’t know that it would be a course record, but I am so happy with today’s run," Kipruto said, reflecting on his victory. 

The race's blistering pace, which approached world record speed, seemed not to faze him. 

"I was ready. I knew it was so fast. I trained for it, and I was ready for everything that could come," he added.

The Tokyo Marathon, attracting athletes from around the globe, had its course record previously set by double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge in 2022 at 2:02:40. 

Kipchoge, a pre-race favorite, finished tenth this year, highlighting the race's unpredictable nature and the fierce competition among the elite runners.

Kipruto's performance not only eclipsed Kipchoge's record by 24 seconds but also marked a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his status among the world's marathon elites.

The race unfolded dramatically after the 30km mark, where Kipruto made a bold move, overtaking Kiplagat, who had been leading the chasing pack.

The strategic maneuver put him in the lead, a position he maintained until the finish line, despite the challenging pace.

The final 7km of the race saw Kipruto and Kiplagat pull away from Ngetich, ensuring a Kenyan 1-2-3 finish and adding another memorable chapter to Kenya's storied history in distance running.

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