Kiplimo focused ahead of Marathon Debut in London
David GOMBE
Uganda’s long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo will make his Marathon debut on Sunday at the London Marathon.
The event will attract all the Olympic and Paralympic marathon champions from last year’s Paris Games will compete, along with over 56,000 total runners smashing the record of 55,646 finishers set at the New York Marathon in November, 2024.
Kiplimo reclaimed the half-marathon world record in a time of 56 minutes and 42 seconds in Barcelona two months ago will be targeting a great debut at the full distance.
Many think the Ugandan could challenge the world record on his debut but he hopes that can only achieved in future
“Yes, of course, “Maybe in the future. But I am just focusing on my debut. If this one goes well, then maybe I will be the guy to make it.” Said the Ugandan who will be amazed to compete against legendary Eliud Kipchoge
“I remember 2019, when I was pacing Kipchoge,” he says. “So for me it is a little bit amazing to compete with one of the greatest runners in history.” And, he hopes, to make some more history of his own.”
Kiplimo’s London debut comes a year on from the tributes that were paid to the late Kiptum on the start line. The Kenyan won the London Marathon in a course record before his death.
The Ugandan will be up against six men to have gone under the 2:04:00 mark including the greatest Marathoner of all time Kipchoge who believes he can still compete at the top level at the age of 40.
Kipchoge is a four time winner in London and became the first person to break the two hour barrier in unofficial conditions in 2019.
Besides, Kipchoge there’s last 2024 London winner Alexander Mutiso and Olympic champion Tamirat Tola and Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe who ran 2:02:05 on his marathon debut in Valencia in December.
The winners will receive £41,000, while a £112,000 bonus is the prize for any man running under 2:02 or woman below 2:15. Some £98,000 extra will be pocketed by any runner setting a world record.
Could Kiplimo, a two World Cross Country champion break the world record on Sunday? Could he even become the first man to break two hours in an official race?