Kelvin Kiptum, the new marathon world record holder, says he is ready to compete against Eliud Kipchoge in Paris next year if he is chosen to represent Kenya.

"I'm excited to compete with Eliud if I'm chosen to represent Kenya at the upcoming Olympics." "I'm ready to race with him," Kiptum remarked.

PHOTO | COURTESY  Kelvin Kiptum 

Kiptum spoke in Nairobi on Tuesday after landing from the USA after winning the Chicago Marathon in a new world record of two hours and 35 seconds.

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The Government awarded him Sh5 million through the Sports Ministry, whose Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba reiterated the government's support for athletes.

PHOTO | COURTESY    Eliud Kipchoge

"We want our athletes to be proud to compete for Kenya and wear Kenyan colors." We want them to be proud of the four hues they represent: black, red, green, and white. We want you to love our national anthem. So don't even think of crossing borders to compete for another country," Ababu remarked.

Kiptum is the second athlete to be honored by the government, following Faith Kipyegon, who received a similar sum in June 2023 for breaking two world records.