President of World Athletics Sebastian Coe has explained how the Chicago Marathon was awarded the esteemed Heritage Plaque following the passing of Kelvin Kiptum.
According to World Athletics President Sebastien Coe, the Chicago Marathon (1977)’s win of the World Athletics Heritage Plaque in that competition category was greatly influenced by the untimely passing of Kelvin Kiptum.
Celebrating over a century of marathon running in the Illinois city, Coe said the world record history of the Chicago Marathon also influenced their choice.
Celebrating a history of the marathon running in the Illinois city that stretches back more than a century, Coe said the Chicago Marathon world record history also informed their decision.
“The Chicago Marathon has an illustrious world record history, poignantly highlighted in February this year by the tragic death of Kelvin Kiptum. The young, prodigiously talented Kenyan had set the current men’s world record in the city last October, coming just 35 seconds short of the two-hour mark,” Coe said.
Awarded for an exceptional contribution to the global history and development of track and field athletics as well as non-stadium athletics disciplines like cross-country, mountain, road, trail, ultra-running, and race walking, the World Athletics Heritage Plaque is a location-based honour.
“Chicago is a jewel in the international Marathon calendar, boasting the newly crowned Olympic champion Sifa Hassan as it’s women’s course record holder,” Coe explained.
In 1905, Chicago hosted its first marathon. Chicago, like many other US cities, adopted Boston’s 1897 model, which had started an annual marathon the year after the marathon event was introduced at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens.
“The Chicago Marathon thoroughly deserves the heritage plaque which recognises an outstanding contribution to the history and development of road running,” added Coe.