Athletics: Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum smashes men's marathon world record in Chicago

Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum shattered the men's marathon world record in Chicago on Sunday, winning in two hours and 35 seconds to beat compatriot Eliud Kipchoge's previous mark by more than 30 seconds.

Kiptum shattered the London Marathon course record this year and was determined to make magic again in the Windy City as he sped up through the 35-kilometre mark before thrusting his arms in the air to cheers from the crowd down the final stretch.

Kiptum had not originally targeted the record but said he knew that twice Olympic champion Kipchoge's previous mark of 2:01:09 was within reach in the final kilometres, as he dug deep to make history.


"I feel so happy. I wasn't prepared," he said at the finish line. "A world record was not in my mind today."

He broke the tape three minutes and 27 seconds ahead of compatriot Daniel Mateiko, while Belgian Bashir Abdi finished third in 2:04:32.