Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba won the Istanbul Marathon in a course-record 2:08:44.
Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba clocked 2:08:44 to win in Istanbul, cutting one minute from the course record and securing a USD5,000 bonus.
Kenyan runner Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba will collect about Ksh7.1 million after winning the Istanbul Marathon and breaking its course record. He completed the race in 2:08:44, taking a full minute off the previous mark.
His USD55,000 payout combines USD50,000 for victory with a USD5,000 record bonus. Those amounts translate to approximately Ksh6.4 million and Ksh650,000, respectively.
Kipchumba improved the previous course record of 2:09:44 at the race’s 48th edition. He also led a strong Kenyan showing, with compatriot Vincent Kipyegon Ronoh finishing third.
Istanbul Marathon podium finishers secure prize money
Ethiopia’s Sufaro Woliyi Kebeto finished second, just 10 seconds behind Kipchumba. He will receive USD20,000, equivalent to about Ksh2.6 million, for his runner-up finish.
Meanwhile, Ronoh secured USD10,000, or approximately Ksh1.3 million, for taking the final men’s podium place. Kenya therefore claimed two of the top three positions in the men’s competition.
In the women’s race, however, Ethiopia swept all three podium places, led by Kasanesh Ayenew. Her victory earned USD50,000, matching the winner’s prize in the men’s race.
Azmera Abreha Gdey took second place after finishing in 2:24:47. Fellow Ethiopian Diribe Hirko Alemu followed in third with a time of 2:25:00, earning USD10,000.
Kipchumba adds to international marathon victories
The Istanbul victory adds to Kipchumba’s record of marathon wins across Asia and Europe. His previous successes include titles in Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong and Munich.
At the Shanghai Marathon, he ran a lifetime best of 2:05:35 and broke the course record. That performance also established a Chinese all-comers’ record.
He won the Xiamen Marathon in 2:08:04 and the 2023 Hong Kong Marathon in 2:10:48. Earlier, his marathon debut in Munich produced a course-record victory in 2:07:28, finishing inside the historic Olympic Stadium.
Before focusing on full marathons, Kipchumba also competed over shorter road distances. He recorded personal bests of 1:01:47 in the half marathon and 28:04 over 10km.
