Kipchoge’s training partner dedicates Rotterdam Marathon win to Kiptum

15th April 2024 - by Tony Kipkorir

Nageeye revealed that he felt like a Kenyan for the first time in his entire life.

SUMMARY

Abdi Nageeye trains in Kaptagat with the likes of Eliud Kipchoge and Geoffrey Kamworor.
The Dutch citizen won the race in a time of 2:04.45, which is his country’s national record.
He dedicated the win to Kiptum who died two months ago after the car he was driving hit a tree in Kenya’s Rift Valley region.

Abdi Nageeye, the 2024 NN Rotterdam champion, has disclosed that he wanted to win the road race in honour of the late world record holder Kelvin Kiptum.

Nageeye, who trains in Kaptagat alongside the likes of two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge and Geoffrey Kamworor, divulged after securing his victory at the event that Kiptum was in his mind throughout the race.

According to the Dutch citizen, he came up with a plan to ensure he stopped the Ethiopians and delivered a win for Kiptum, who died two months ago in a road accident.

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“I trained in Kaptagat for the race and so when Kenneth was with me, I was feeling that it was us against the Ethiopians, but I was also thinking that this victory has to go to Kaptagat for Kiptum.

So, I was telling Kenneth ‘they are waiting for us, so you push for one kilometer then I push the next until we get to the hard part at 35 kilometers and I told him ‘ let’s do it’ but at the end he was not that strong… I really felt we had to win it for Kaptagat and Kiptum. For the first time I felt I was part of Kenya,” Nageeye was quoted by Nation.

The 35-year-old ran a calculated race to win the coveted title in a time of 2:04.45 ahead of Amedework Walelegn of Ethiopia.

The latter crossed the finishing line in 2:04.50 with his compatriot Birhanu Legese clocking 2:05.16 to complete the podium place positions.

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Kenyan runners Kenneth Kipkemoi and Enock Onchari settled for fourth and fifth in 2:05.43 and 2:06.07 respectively.

Ashete Bekere of Ethiopia clinched the women’s title in 2:19.30 ahead of the Kenyan duo of Viola Kibiwott (2:20.57) and Selly Chepyego (2:22.46).

Speaking after the race, Kibiwott stated her performance belonged to Kiptum, who was seeking to lower his world record in Rotterdam.

“The course was good for me. It’s my fifth marathon and I’m happy to be finally on the podium. We are still mourning Kiptum. We did our best in honour of his name. He wanted to run a world record here and we are proud that we did our best,” she ended.

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