Millions Kiptum made from international races and breaking marathon world record
20th February 2024
Kiptum hit the headlines when he made the fastest marathon debut in the 2023 Valencia Marathon.
- Kiptum died on the spot alongside his long-time friend and coach Gervais Hakizimana following a fatal road accident.
- The marathon record holder is scheduled to be buried on February 23.
Many Kenyans will forever remember 11 February 2024 as the day they lost one of the most talented road race runners of all time, Kelvin Kiptum.
Kiptum, who is expected to be buried on Friday, perished alongside his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana in a tragic road accident that occurred along the Eldoret-Kaptagat road.
Most people started to ask questions regarding where all the prize money he won in different races went after the media highlighted the living conditions of his family.
SportPesa News went digging and came up with an estimated amount of money the late Kiptum won in his short but striking marathon career.
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Valencia Marathon
Kiptum broke into the limelight at the 2022 Valencia Marathon when he overcame a strong field to win the title in the fastest debut time of 2:01.53.
The father of two won a mouthwatering $80,000 (approximately Ksh 12 million) in the event which was held in December.
London Marathon
Less than six months later after his debut, Kiptum went to the TSC London Marathon which was staged on Sunday 23 April 2023 and returned to Kenya as champion.
What was so special about his London Marathon win is the fact that he shattered the course record and also ran the second-fastest time ever in the history of the discipline when he broke the tape at 2:01.25.
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His time was only 16 seconds slower than the then-existing world record of 2:01.09 which compatriot Eliud Kipchoge set at the 2022 Berlin edition.
Kiptum’s performance in the streets of London ensured he pocketed $230,000 (approximately Ksh 37 million) plus other bonuses.
Chicago Marathon
Most road race runners make history at the flat Berlin Marathon course but Kiptum had other plans in store for the athletics world.
The late runner went to the Chicago Marathon in October 2023 and to the surprise of most people, he managed to set a new world record.
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His record of 2:00.35 was 26 seconds faster than the previous mark of 2:01.09 that was set by Kipchoge in Berlin in September 2022.
The organizers of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon paid Kiptum $100,000 (approximately Ksh 15 million) for winning the race as well as an additional $50,000 (approximately Ksh 7.5 million) for smashing the world record.
Moreover, when he returned to his motherland, the government of Kenya gave Kiptum Ksh 5,000,000 for being a world record breaker.
Half Marathons
Finally, Kiptum had competed in several Half Marathon events before deciding to switch to full marathon.
Some of these races include Kass Half Marathon (1st), Copenhagen Half Marathon (11th), NN CPC Loop Den Haag Half Marathon (2nd) and Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon (8th) where he won additional money.
In total, Kiptum who was the only child in his family, is believed to have won over Ksh 76,000,000 which was of course subject to the tax procedure and other deductions.
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