It is a dream for every athlete to represent his native nation at major championships across the world and win a medal to boost his or her career.
This message has sunk in the mind of Hong Kong marathon champion Barnabas Kiptum who has been selected by Athletics Kenya to represent the country at the World Athletics championships set for Eugene, Oregon in the United States of America.
Not so known by many, Kiptum finished third at the Milan marathon early this year will be making his debut in team Kenya, competing in marathon alongside former Boston and Chicago marathon champion Lawrence Cherono, two time New York Marathon champion Geoffrey kamworor and former world marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui who will be marshalling Kenyan forces in the super power nation.
“This is my dream come true. I have been longing to wear the national colours and this is the right time to do so. I have prepared well for championships, where there are no pacesetters with hopes of claiming podium positions,” he said.
With his morning and evening training, covering 35km on an average day, said that a marathon is not a one-day affair that needs proper training, endurance, speed work among other things.
Enjoying a 2.04.17 as personal best set at the 2017 Buenos Aires Marathon and 2019 Hong Kong Marathon and placed third in the 2021 Milan Marathon, the 34-year-old is determined to bring glory.
“I am aiming to deliver for the country, I would like to assure Kenyans that I will do my best and run as a team,” said Kiptum.
The former Cape Town marathon champion added that he will work with the whole team to make sure to sweep the podium.
“It is the best time to represent my country, because I have been longing to represent my country, and be on the world stage, donned in the Kenyan attire and hope I will perform well and give good results,” he added.
Apart from Milan, Hong Kong and Cape Town, Kiptum finished third at the Riyadh marathon after making marathon debut at the 2016 Cape Town marathon and finished third timing 2.09.21, 2018/2021 Milan marathon in Italy, 2019 Gold Coast marathon in Australia and 2020 Zurich Saville marathon in Spain