Jacob Kiplimo will make his 26.2-mile debut on Sunday at the 2024 TCS London Marathon, two years after agreeing to make the UK capital the home of his marathon introduction.
In an exclusive interview for Marathon Talk, London’s Head of Elite Athletes Spencer Barden revealed he made the deal with Kiplimo’s manager way before the Ugandan was ready to transition into the full marathon distance.
“I knew he was looking at some point to make his debut, and two-plus years ago I had that conversation with his manager that it must be in London.
“So we agreed it on a handshake that it would be London when he was ready. He was obviously half marathon world record holder, lost it, got it back, and someone I always thought could transition really well from track to half marathon and marathon.”
Kiplimo has enjoyed a stellar career, collecting Commonwealth gold in the five and 10,000m plus bronze over 10,000m in the Olympics and World Championships, as well as winning the last two World Cross Country titles.
He shattered the half marathon world record by 48 seconds in Barcelona when he ran 56:42 in February, signaling that a seriously quick full-distance debut could be on the cards at the weekend.
That performance ratcheted up hopes that he could be the man to threaten the sub-two-hour barrier in a ratified race, but the man himself was quick to dismiss those predictions this week.
“I’ve seen a lot of people posting that I will be the one,” he said. “I think on Sunday, I have to first run a good race. I am not even targeting to run the fastest time. I am going to run my own race, to run a good personal best.”
Barden was also at pains to play down any notion that London can stage a sub-two attempt but revealed he does expect the newcomer to impress.
“He has run extremely quick for the half but we’re not talking about sub-two hours. I expect us to be somewhere around 2:01, 2:02 in the men’s race.
“We want to get the first half safely done, then you know after halfway, that’s when the racing is going to start.”
Listen to the full interview with Spencer Barden here.
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