NAIROBI, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- World half marathon record-holder Abraham Kiptum from Kenya has been confirmed for the London Marathon on April 26.
Kiptum was second in the Abu Dhabi Marathon in December in 2:04:16 but there are doubts about the length of the course.
He also won the Daegu Marathon in April in 2:06:29. But the 29-year-old was not known until last year when he broke the world record for half marathon in Valencia.
His personal best time of 2:05:26, which he got in Amsterdam in 2017 when he clinched bronze was deemed not good enough for him to compete at last year's Chicago Marathon.
It is after he was turned down that he went on to set a world record in Valencia. Now he has got a nod to compete in one of the prestigious marathons in London.
"I always try to break the barriers and London is one step in helping me attain my goal. Pressure is not on me, because there are better runners in London. But I have my plan and I want to work hard in training," said Kiptum.
Kiptum could challenge Britain's Sir Mo Farah, who last year finished third in London behind world record holder and Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge and Shura Kitata.
There is also former world record holder Wilson Kipsang, the only athlete to have beaten Kipchoge since 2012.
But it will take something special to challenge Kipchoge's invincibility in marathon, maybe Kiptum may prove to be that change.
Kiptum survived an accident in his native home when he was competing in Kabarak town to win a race.
A hit by a motorist almost ended his career, but he picked up the pieces and went on to win the race in July. He went on to win in Valencia and Abu Dhabi to cement his name on the world map.
"I was in great pain but I'm happy I have managed to recover and improve my performance," he said.
