Record-breaker Kiptum is running again in December

The reality of smashing a World Half Marathon record has yet to sink in for Abraham Kiptum and yet the 29-year-old is hitting the road again on December 7.

Kiptum has announced he will race at the Abu Dhabi Marathon barely a month after , who shaving five seconds off the World record when he ran 58:18 at Valencia Half Marathon.

His record-breaking heroics at ‘The Running City’ of Spain came just two months after he had set a personal best (PB) of 59:09 at the Copenhagen Half marathon where he finished second behind compatriot Daniel Kipchumba (59:06).

“In Valencia all I was aiming was a win and at least to improve on my PB of 59:09 but the issue of breaking the record was not in my thoughts,” Kiptum told Citizen Digital.

It is the Ethiopian duo of Jemal Yimer who finished second in 58:33 and Abadi Hadis who came in as the second runners up in 58:44 that gave Kiptum extra motivation in the race after the pacemakers failed to live up to his expectations.

“I had to run my best as I was up against the two Ethiopians whom I knew well since we were together at Copenhagen,” Kiptum added.

Joyciline Jepkosgei also set the World record at the same soil a year ago, with Kiptum attributing that to the favourable course in the Spanish city.

“Valencia is a good course to compete in no wonder you find many records being shattered there and furthermore the organisation is excellent as well,” he stated.

With five weeks remaining to the Abu Dhabi race, Kiptum has no time to rest on his laurels and is stepping up preparations for the inaugural race in the United Arab Emirates.

“I have already resumed training in readiness for the race. I was only competing in Valencia to improve on my time. Right now, I can say I am focused and working hard for my next race,” revealed Kiptum who trains at Kapsabet, Nandi County.

The two-time Lagos Marathon champion won the 10km race at the Laikipia University Half marathon two weeks after the Copenhagen race.

He would later finish second in the 10km race at the Isaiah Kiplagat Memorial Ndalat Gaa Cross Country prior to conquering Valencia.