Benson Kipruto sets lofty targets after podium finish at Boston Marathon

ATHLETICS Benson Kipruto sets lofty targets after podium finish at Boston Marathon

Abigael Wafula 09:00 - 20.04.2023

Kipruto will be keen to make the cut to the national team for the World Championships.

The 2022 Chicago Marathon champion Benson Kipruto has opened up on the big plans after a successful start of the season that saw him seal the podium at the just concluded Boston Marathon on Monday, April 17.

Just like in 2022, Kipruto hopes the 2023 season will turn out successful as he eyes a slot at the World Championships slated for August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary.

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He also revealed that going forward, he will be keen to compete in the World Marathon Majors because he believes he has the potential.

“I am hoping to represent my country in the World Championships if I make the cut. I am also looking forward to competing in more Major Marathons because I believe I have all it takes.

Next year, I hope I will come to my favourite race, the Boston Marathon. I also hope I will get a chance to go back to Chicago and defend my title,” the 2021 Boston Marathon champion said.

In 2022, Kipruto kickstarted his season with a win at the Guadalajara International Half Marathon. He then settled for third at the Boston Marathon and went ahead to secure a dominant win at the Chicago Marathon.

This year, he returned to the streets of Mexico for the Guadalajara International Half Marathon where he settled for third place before finishing third at the Boston Marathon too.

Talking about this year’s edition of the Boston Marathon, he revealed that the weather conditions were tough but they had no choice but to keep pushing.

“The race was good despite the weather conditions but we fought until the last minute. I am happy with the third-place finish. The weather conditions usually have some impacts on us during competitions but as an athlete, you always have to try your best,” he said.

Kipruto also said racing with the world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge is always a memorable moment. “He always has an impact on the race,” he said.

The Boston Marathon marks the second time Kipruto was competing alongside Kipchoge. The first time they raced together was during the 2020 London Marathon where Kipruto settled for seventh place.

The race saw Kipchoge settle for eighth place and Kipruto noted that there was a similarity in both the 2023 Boston Marathon and the 2020 London Marathon.

Kipruto also revealed that teamwork between him and the two-time Boston Marathon champion saved the day despite developing a strain at the 39km mark that led to him missing the second-place finish. Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay ran away with the second position.