Why Jacob Kiplimo’s debut at London marathon is so highly anticipated | Sport-others News
Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo dropped jaws in Barcelona two months ago when he ran 13.1 miles in 56min 42sec – a half marathon time nearly 48 seconds quicker than anyone. The 24-year-old will be in London on Sunday, for his first full marathon, and London race director Hugh Brasher, is dangling prospects of a sub-2 hour run to hype up his race.
“I think it’s going to be the most fascinating debut ever,” Brasher told Guardian. “Is it feasible that he could take Kelvin Kiptum’s record as the fastest debutant? Without a doubt. Do I think he could one day be the athlete that runs under two hours? Yes. But let’s see what happens on Sunday.”
Kiplimo competed over 5,000m as a 15-year-old prodigy at the 2016 Rio Olympics, coming from an impoverished upbringing on a farm in Kween, 1500m above sea level on the Mount Elgon volcano. But two of his step-brothers from three mothers in all, Robert Chermonges and Victor Kiplangat, went sub 2hr 10min marathoners – as Jacob took over.
Story continues below this ad
“We were helping our brothers, the big brothers,” Guardian quoted him as saying. “They were running and we kept seeing them when they were training. And one day, I tell them, I want to become like you. So I just kept training, training. This was when I was around 10 or 11.”
Spotted and brought to Italy to train for the 2016 Olympics coach, Giuseppe Giambrone, Jacob recalled being told the Italian, ‘you will be one of the greatest runners in the world.” His 5000 ended in the semi-finals, but Olympics was a huge experience. His vest came before supershoes: 5,000m in 13:19.54 and the 10,000m in 27:26.28, according to Guardian. But he lacked a great sprint finish which meant he only had bronzes in 10000 besides two senior world cross country titles.
The phalanx assembled for London on Subday includes Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest of all time, Olympic champion, Tamirat Tola, last year’s winner, Alexander Mutiso and second fastest debutant Sabastian Sawe, a late bloomer at 30 who ran 2:02:05 to win the Valencia marathon in December.
“I am ready to compete,” Kiplimo said after running around 75-90 miles a week during his track career to more like 125-135 for the marathon.Story continues below this ad
‘The leading pack is likely to go through halfway in 61min, giving scope for Kiplimo to run a negative split and chase down Kiptum’s world record of 2:00:35. A following wind for the second half of the race will help, although the forecast may be a little warm,’ Guardian wrote.
Asked whether he could one day break two hours for the marathon, Kiplimo said, “Yes, of course. Maybe in the future. But I’m just focusing on my debut. If this one goes well, then maybe I will be the guy to make it.”
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Expand
