Kiprotich targets world marathon record

By Norman Katende 

UGANDA’S national marathon record holder Stephen Kiprotich wants to compete in the Berlin Marathon next year in a bid to give a shot at the world record. 

The London 2012 Olympics and Moscow 2013 World Athletics champion gold medallist, both in the 42.195km event, having seen two world records fall on the Berlin route, wants to give it a try. Kiprotich’s personal best stands at 2:07:20 and he believes that he can lower it at the November 3 New York marathon. 

“But it needs too much preparation and patience. It is not something you can wake up and do in the morning,” said Kiprotich as he relaxed in the Global Sports training camp in Kaptagat. 

Last week, Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, whom Kiprotich beat in the 2012 London Marathon, set the world record of 2 hours 3 minutes and 23 seconds, breaking the earlier mark of 2:03:38 set by fellow countryman Patrick Makau at the same course. Kiprotich believes the course is good for setting the mark. 

“I will speak to my manager and see how viable the project is,” said Kiprotich, who will not be competing in the Common-wealth marathon next year, preferring others to take the opportunity to get experience. 

Kiprotich is of the view that it is not the number of marathons that someone runs that makes him good, but the kind of training he undergoes. 

“Look at Eliud Kipchoge. He had been running 10000m but came up with a good time in the marathon only on his second attempt,” he noted.