Kenyan runner who guided Kiptum to world record set for London Marathon debut

Daniel Kibet Mateiko is already a big name as he awaits to make his full marathon debut later this year in London, United Kingdom.

Most athletics fans came to know of Mateiko during the recently held 2024 Ras AL Khaimah Half Marathon where he produced a scintillating performance to win the title in 58:45.

He dedicated the win in Qatar to marathon world record holder Kiptum, who was buried a day before the race was held.

“I was the fastest man in the field and I promised myself I’d win here after finishing sixth and then second last year.The conditions were very difficult, so it was definitely the best win of my career so far,” he stated during a post-race interview.

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However, prior to his impressive performance in the road race which was staged in the United Arab Emirates, Mateiko had already shown a glimpse of what he can do.

He paced Kiptum in the final miles of the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and managed to bring the best out of him.

Mateiko’s hard work in the streets of Chicago in October last year played an instrumental role in Kiptum clocking 2:00.35 and in the process lowering the previous mark of 2:01.09 which was set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2022.

He pushed Kiptum, who ran the second half of the race much faster than the other half, averaging 4.21 per mile.

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In less than two months, Mateiko will be seeking to follow in the footsteps of Kiptum, who died last month in a grisly road accident alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana.

Although the 25-year-old will be new to the full marathon discipline, he has what it takes to upset other experienced runners in London.

Mateiko is expected to battle it out for top prize with the likes of compatriots Alexander Mutiso and Geoffrey Kamworor.

Mutiso heads to TCS London as the fastest Kenyan having ran a personal best of 2:03.11 in Valencia in December last year.

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On the other hand, Geoffrey Kamworor, whose 2023 season was disrupted by injuries, has a lifetime best of 2:04.02.  

The three-time world half marathon champion set the personal best 11 months ago in London when he finished behind Kiptum, who won the title in a course record time of 2:01.25.

Other star athletes who were confirmed yesterday for the race which is slated for Sunday, April 31 include Ethiopian veteran Kenenisa Bekele and Eritrea’s Henok Tesfay.

Bekele’s fellow countrymen Tamirat Tola (2:03.39), Dawit Wolde (2:03.48), Mosinet Geremew (2:02.55), Seifu Tura (2:04.29) and Kinde Atanaw (2:03.51) will also be in contention.

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Elite men

Kenenisa BEKELE (ETH, 2:01:41)

Mosinet GEREMEW (ETH, 2:02:55)

Alexander Mutiso MUNYAO (KEN, 2:03:11)

Tamirat TOLA (ETH, 2:03:39)

Dawit WOLDE (ETH, 2:03:48)

Kinde ATANAW (ETH, 2:03:51)

Leul GEBRESILASE (ETH, 2:04:02)

Geoffrey KAMWOROR (KEN, 2:04:23)

Seifu TURA (ETH, 2:04:29)

Daniel DO NASCIMENTO (BRA, 2:04:51)

Daniel MATEIKO (KEN, No Time)