Like Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela–which was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for its “highest concentration of lightning” each year –he hit the world stage in road running and faded away like lightning.
He came, saw, conquered and simply disappeared in a flash. His athletics script seemed like it was straight from heaven.
That’s the story of Abraham Kiptum, the former world 21km record holder. Like the proverbial Simon Makonde, his fast rise in marathons was cut-short strangely after landing on a ban over anti-doping violation.
It was on April 26, 2019. The morning began with a strange stillness – perfect training weather conditions. But oops! Sad news was about to break.
And the Athletics Integrity Unit, the global anti-doping watchdog, dropped the bombshell: he had been banned for four years over an anti-doping violation.
The AIU, which oversees integrity issues in global athletics, had provisionally suspended him for an Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) violation.
The passport uses blood tests to detect the likelihood of doping rather than testing for specific substances.
The fundamental principle of the ABP is to monitor selected biological variables over time that indirectly reveal the effects of doping, rather than attempting to detect the doping substance or method itself.
As it’s the norm in human relationships, friends and even nuclear family members started to stay away from him. His wife could not take the doping news lying –she ditched him. His father, mother and brothers stood behind him. It’s simply a test of human belief and love.
Born and raised in Kosirai village in Nandi County, Kiptum stunned global athletics when he set the world half marathon record at 58:18 during the Valencia Half marathon in Spain in 2019.
His time was five seconds better than the previous mark set by Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese in Lisbon in 2010.
Kiptum’s compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor broke the world half-marathon record by 17 seconds in that year.
He did not outside his neighbourhood for inspiration –he comes from a region endowed with a rich athletics pedigree.
Within a radius of 5km from his home, there is the home of two-time London Marathon winner Martin Lel, four-time Boston Marathon winner Robert ‘Mwafrika’ Cheruiyot, 2016 Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto, Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion Abraham Kibiwott, 2014 Commonwealth Games 1500m champion James Magut and siblings Mathew Kisorio (second runner up New York Marathon), Peter Kimeli (Paris Marathon winner) and former Africa cross country champion Nicholas Togom.
Sadly, such an inspiration now inflicts more injury to the doping wound, he says, holding the world record trophy –glittering inside its cabinet – during an interview at his home. “It’s sad, man,” he says.
Not bad for a man who played football at Kosirai Primary School before picking up athletics at St Peters Secondary School where he dominated inter class competitions.
He took athletics seriously after the family relocated from Kosirai to Selia. “When I left St Peters, I joined St Clemet and my athletics career was on downward side. Then I transferred to Kimogochi, the school which had many athletes with teachers who liked my talent. At the same time, my uncle Joshua used to train me,” said Kiptum.
While in Form Two, he was invited to Rabat Marathon where he finished third in 2:11:36 despite competing as a pacemaker.
“This was a good gesture for me to finish the race and on the podium after going as a pacesetter. By then, I used to pace for women mostly before joining senior ranks,” he said.
Boon for inspiration
Begetting a family of athletes, including his grandfather, father and Uncles, served as his source of motivation. The likes of Robert Letting, Kibungei among others paved way for the young man to take the baton to a higher ladder.
“In my Chepketei village, we are known for athletics even my young brother Nicholas Kirwa, who runs marathons,” said Kiptum.
Marathon debut
He ventured into half and marathons, winning Lagos City marathon and then Casablanca and Madrid half marathons in 2016 but the 2017 Amsterdam Marathon stands out.
“The Amsterdam Marathon opened my doors of success when I finished third in 2:05:26, which was my personal best and stands up to now. After that, I knew that my best was coming. From there my manager confirmed I was a good athlete,” he added.
In 2017, he won the Daegu marathon and settled for runner up spot in Copenhagen Half Marathon, before heading for Valencia marathon, which he set the world record that was later disqualified.
“With my good performance, I competed at the Valencia Half Marathon, setting the world record. For me to set the world record, I was so determined, serious and focused in training because my coach did not want nonsense,” he said.
World record preps
As his preparations for Valencia went on, he remembers telling his training mates that he would be running from the front as usual which bore fruit.
“I normally run from the front and because I was fit enough, once I took off, I didn’t reduce the speed. After crossing 10km, I knew I was within the world record. After the world record, I was handed a chance to run in Abu Dhabi after six weeks where I managed to cross the line in 2:04:16,” he said.
The two races, Valencia and Abu Dhabi results were nullified.
New lease of life
After setting the world record, he says his name was big at the global stage, even improving the living standards of his parents back home from the proceeds of the world record.
“I bought land and moved my family. With sweet money, my life was sweet, changing the lifestyle of my whole family. My parents were relieved from poverty and a laughing stock,” he narrates.
Heading for London
With good results in Valencia Abu Dhabi, he had qualified to compete at the World Marathon Majors, and London was his next big thing.
“After Abu Dhabi, I took a break because I had had so many races before conquering the London marathon, which was a big breakthrough. However, that did not materialize when I was informed about doping, the use of Athletes Biological passport (ABP). I was to run the following day. I even had the bib number,” he paused before continuing.
ABP and banning
“I was so surprised about ABP because I had never heard about it in my entire life. I was sent back home then I stayed home until I completed my ban. When I returned home, I was welcomed by my parents and brothers. They advised me on how to stay positive despite the situation I was in,” he signs.
Deserted by wife and friends
He says that many of his friends ran away including his wife and left with parents and brothers.
“To make matters worse, my wife and friends deserted me. I was only left with my parents and brothers. In that situation, I was so depressed and that is when I knew my true friends,” narrates.
With no other activities, he was the man charged with herding their animals and farming, failing to walk in public as he used to.
Kiptum’s return in athletics
“After serving four years, I have returned into action, doing what I know best, running. I knew I was good enough, managing to return. I was urged by my brother to join a training camp and he took the initiative to take me to one, which I am now and my body is responding well,” he says as he smiles.
On his return, a year ago since 2019, he has had various races, competing in top three.
“I want to run at the Nairobi City marathon and defend the Kericho half marathon before the end of the year. With the Nairobi City marathon being so competitive, the days are so few but training and relaxing, I will make it to the podium,” he said.
Money lessons
“I have learnt that money comes in and goes out. Yes I had money when I set the world record. But I learnt a lesson to stay with the right people.