Kelvin Kiptum has explained why he snubbed the Berlin Marathon and chose to run the Chicago Marathon this year.
Many had anticipated to see Kelvin Kiptum run at the Berlin Marathon but he had his reasons on why he chose to run the Chicago Marathon.
His choice did not fail since he broke the world record in the streets of Chicago, competing in his only but third marathon.
![Kelvin Kiptum explains how it felt to run faster than Eliud Kipchoge in Chicago](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/19102023/9c299ecc-a7a5-4588-a237-0b441d351d9e.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
13:05 - 19.10.2023
ATHLETICS Kelvin Kiptum explains how it felt to run faster than Eliud Kipchoge in Chicago
23-year-old Kelvin Kiptum has shared what it felt like to beat the man considered the 'greatest of all time.'
The 23-year-old clocked 2:00:35 to win the race and break compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s world record time of 2:01:09 that he had set during the 2022 Berlin Marathon.
Stating his reasons for snubbing the Berlin Marathon, he said: “I decided to run Chicago because I think it’s a good course and I was looking forward to running in Chicago.
My focus was on Chicago this year and I believe I still have time to run in the Berlin Marathon.”
The Valencia Marathon champion opened his season with a commanding win at the London Marathon, clocking the second-fastest time ever in history to win. He then ended his season with a huge harvest at the Chicago Marathon.
If Kiptum had opted to run the Berlin Marathon, he would have locked horns with Kipchoge, who is considered the greatest marathoner of all time.
Kipchoge was in action at the Berlin Marathon and his plan did not go well since he was looking to shatter his own world record time.
![Why Kelvin Kiptum's marathon world record is yet to be ratified](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/18102023/d57ad8b6-5c19-47bf-9bba-6d22bd754789.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
09:00 - 18.10.2023
ATHLETICS Why Kelvin Kiptum's marathon world record is yet to be ratified
An explanation to why Kelvin Kiptum's world record is yet to be ratified.
He won the race, clocking the eighth-fastest time in history at the time but it has now been pushed to ninth after Kiptum’s victory in Chicago.
He also made history by becoming the first man to win the Berlin Marathon five times. He clocked 2:02:42 to cross the finish line.