Birthday boy Amos Kipruto returned home on Wednesday evening and was welcomed with Mursik, Sinendet in traditional songs and dance following his econd finish ad Berlin marathon on Sunday in Germany.
Celebrating his birthday on Sunday, Kipruto, the former Rome marathon champion finsished second behind Eliud Kipchoge who broke the world marathon record to 2:01.39 bringing down Dennis Kimetto’s time of 2:02.57 set on the same course in 2014.
Kipruto said it was a surprise for him to finish second beating former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang who finished third.
“I was surprised and even the whole world was because nobody expected me to beat Kipsang who, together with Kipchoge were the bigwigs who were yearning for a world marathon record,” said Kipruto after arriving at Eldoret International Airport where he was welcomed by family members led by his father Kiplimo Tuwei.
“It is all about God that I managed to finish second in Berlin, improving on my time as well as beating the giants. Now it will be my time to take a win at a world majors win,” added Kipruto.
The runner who finished third on his world marathon majors during Tokyo marathon behind winner Dickson Chumba and home boys Yuta Shitara, described the Berlin event as magical.
“The results I gave on Sunday were big and magical to me, finishing between Kipsang and Kipchoge. I finished the race where many people never thought I could and weather favoured us especially me as we swept the podium,” said Kipruto.
Kipruto made a marathon debut, winning the 2016 Rome Marathon title and beat World half marathon record holder Tadese Zersenay.
At hand to receive Kipruto was his wife Janet Samoe, two children, long service athletics coach David Letting, Central Rift Athletics Kenya secretary Kennedy Tanui among others.