4 Kenyans Promised Ksh135 Million to Beat Kelvin Kiptum’s Record

At least four Kenyans will be in line to pocket KSh 135 million on December 1, 2024, during the much-anticipated Valencia Marathon.

Organisers of the event have vowed to award any runner who smashes the world record at the marathon one million Euros, which is approximately Ksh 134,900,000.

The Marathon’s Patron Juan Roig has been keen on boosting the popularity of the Valencia marathon, hence the move to incentivise the competition by promising hefty goodies.

“We want to announce that whoever breaks the world record will receive one million euros, if they break it in Valencia, of course. Paco Borao will give one half and I will give him the other half,” he said.

“One of our dreams is to break the world record here and we still have a lot of work to do. What I do know is that one day the world record will come to Valencia. I don’t know when, but it will come. We will fight for it,” he added.

Currently, the world record stands at 2:00:35 for Men, while the women’s world record, which is awaiting ratification, stands at 2:09:56.

Three Kenyans are set to compete in the men’s category in the marathon; Sabastian Sawe, Hillary Kipkoech and Daniel Mateiko. All three are set to make their debut at the marathon.

In the women’s race, Kenya only has one representative – Evaline Chirchir, whose best time in a marathon stands at 2:22:11.

While breaking the world record will be difficult to do, one can’t bet against a Kenyan at least winning the race.

The current world records in both the men’s and women’s categories are being held by Kenyans. Ruth Chepngetich holds the women’s record after setting a course record of 2:09:56 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon. The men’s record is held by the late Kelvin Kiptum.

Kiptum’s performance in the 2023 Chicago Marathon made global headlines. His sub-2:01 marathon time not only set a new world record but also positioned the 24-year-old as one of the most promising talents in marathon history.

He, however, tragically died in a car accident in February and was recently commemorated with a memorial to ensure his legacy lives on in the streets of Chicago.