Kipchoge: 'Kiptum is always second, behind me'
On July 13, Kipchoge confirmed that he would compete at the 2023 Berlin Marathon on September 24 as part of the preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This week, the legendary Eliud Kipchoge held a virtual press conference with the media to explain his decision to choose Berlin instead of the New York Marathon on November 5.
When asked about Kiptum's challenge in Berlin, Kipchoge replied: "Kiptum has the ability to do what he wants. I've done enough. I believe that what I've done in the world of sports will be respected. If Kiptum runs sub2, he'll always be the second to do it. I'll be the first. So I don't have to worry."
Kiptum made a splash when he won the first two marathons. At Valencia Marathon 2022, he finished first with a time of 2 hours 1 minute 53 seconds to become the best marathon debutant runner in history. Five months later, the 23-year-old runner improved his PB to win the title in 2 hours 1 minute 25 seconds, setting a new record at the tournament and just 16 seconds behind Kipchoge's world record.
Only three runners in history have reached sub 2:02, and Kiptum is the only marathoner to do so under the age of 35. Although not confirmed, Kiptum is said to be aiming to break the world record at the Berlin Marathon, after withdrawing from the Kenyan team to attend the World Athletics Championships from August 18 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary. This record currently belongs to Kipchoge with 2 hours 1 minute 9 seconds set in last year's tournament, when he deeply broke his own record set in 2018 - 2 hours 1 minute 39 seconds.
Berlin Marathon 2023 will mark Kipchoge's comeback after his defeat in Boston in April. At that time, he only finished sixth after 2 hours 9 minutes 23 seconds, the worst parameter in 20 marathons since the beginning of his career and the first defeat since London in October 2020.
"I had no control over what happened in Boston," admitted Kipchoge. "There's no point in brooding. I can just control what's going on and stay focused, ready for Berlin."
The 38-year-old runner sees the Berlin Marathon as the best opportunity to prepare for his goal of winning the third consecutive marathon gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. At Rio 2016 and Toyko 2021, Kipchoge won with 2 hours 8 minutes 44 seconds and 2 hours 8 minutes 38 seconds, respectively. "I want to be the first person to win three times in a row. That would be a historic feat," he emphasized.
