Kelvin Kiptum obliterates course record at 2023 London Marathon

In his Abbott World Marathon Major debut, Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum silenced the doubters, obliterating the course record at the 2023 London Marathon to win in 2:01:27. Kiptum broke Eliud Kipchoge’s course record of 2:02:37 by over a minute and now has the second-fastest marathon time in history. 

NEW COURSE RECORD! 🤯

What a moment. Kelvin Kiptum wins the 2023 TCS London Marathon and it's the second quickest time in history! #LondonMarathon #WeRunTogether pic.twitter.com/vw6UqgrmFH

— TCS London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) April 23, 2023

Kiptum’s kick 

Although Kiptum was the fastest man in the field heading into the race, holding a personal best of 2:01:53 from the flat and fast 2022 Valencia Marathon last December, many fans felt his relative lack of experience would prevent him from winning in London. Kiptum went out with the lead group through 61:40 for the first half, then dropped a ridiculous 59:47 in the second half to win the marathon and nearly threaten Kipchoge’s world record. 

Kiptum, 23, was in a group of five runners at the 30K mark, featuring 2022 London champ Amos Kipruto,  two-time NYC champ Geoffrey Kamworor, 2021 Chicago champion Seifu Tura and world champion Tamirat Tola. Kiptum made his move around 31 km, surging to a pace of 2:42/km. Kiptum, who holds a 10K road PB of 28:17, covered the final 10 kilometres in under 28 minutes to earn his first Abbott World Major title. The ever-so-experienced Kamworor finished second behind Kiptum in a personal best time of 2:04:23. The 2022 world champion, Tola, rounded out the podium for third, sneaking under the 2:05 mark in 2:04:59. 

Kiptum said in a post-race interview that he was not aware he was close to breaking the world record. “I wasn’t planning to make a move at 30K,” he said. “Setting the world record was never on my mind. I was hoping for 2:02 or 2:03.” 

Kiptum says setting the world record was never on his mind.

"I wasn't planning to make a move when I did," he tells @alnbrookes. "I had no idea I was so close to the world record."

2⃣:0⃣1⃣:2⃣7⃣ for the 23-year-old from Kenya.#LondonMarathon pic.twitter.com/ZAwFcVSdP2

— Canadian Running (@CanadianRunning) April 23, 2023

The reigning champion, Kipruto, was poised for a solid result until he fell back from Kiptum around 32K, eventually dropping out of the race. Kiptum now moves ahead of the great Kenenisa Bekele as the second-fastest marathoner in history.

Farah’s last hurrah

It was a sensational day for Britain’s Mo Farah in his final marathon. Farah placed ninth overall in 2:10:28, setting one final British 40+ masters record before calling it a career in the marathon. He was the third British runner to cross the finish line behind Emile Cairess and Phil Sesemann, both of whom managed to pull ahead of Farah in the final 10 kilometres. Cairess, 25, was the top British runner in his debut marathon, clocking a time of 2:08:07 for the third fastest British time in history. Sesemann finished five seconds in front of Farah in 2:10:23.

Men’s Top 10

1. Kelvin Kiptum (KEN) 2:01:27
2. Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) 2:04:23
3. Tamirat Tola (ETH) 2:04:59
4. Leul Gebresilase (ETH ) 2:05:45
5. Seifu Tura (ETH) 2:06:38
6. Emile Cairess (GBR) 2:08:07
7. Brett Robinson (AUS) 2:10:19
8. Phil Sesemann (GBR) 2:10:23
9. Mo Farah (KEN) 2:10:28
10. Chris Thompson (GBR) 2:11:50

2018 Boston Marathon champion Yuki Kawauchi, who did not race in the elite field, finished 11th (or first in the mass race), finishing in 2:13:18.

The women’s race was won by the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan in her debut. For that story, click here.

Men’s wheelchair race

After breaking the course record in Boston last weekend, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug was again first to finish at the 2023 TCS London Marathon, smashing the course record he set here in 2022–1:23:44. This is Hug’s fifth London Marathon win and his third London victory in a row.

Hug led for most of the race, crossing the finish line five minutes clear of runner-up Jetze Plat of the Netherlands, who finished in 1:28:44, with Tomoki Suzuki of Japan third in 1:30:00. 

For complete results, click here.