Uganda’s long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo continues to make history. Fresh from his record-breaking victory at the 2025 Chicago Marathon has already turned his focus to his next challenge; defending his world cross country title in Florida, USA, early next year and winning an Olympic marathon.
“I am just going to relax and the good thing we have world cross country, so I wil there, I have to go and defend my title,” he noted.
Speaking at the welcome luncheon organized for him by the National council of sports, the 24-year old confirmed his switch from the track and field to the moneyed marathons and road champions.
“I have switched from the track and I am now concentrating on the road. I think you have seen the first results. I am still here, I am still young and I am going to go form glory on the roads. My focus now is to bring the Olympics marathon gold,” noted Kiplimo
He also asked the government to fulfill the pledge made to athletes to who bring glory to the country.
“There is some promise they made since 2020, so they have to fulfil it because now the parents are growing and they need to sleep in those houses,” he remarked.
Kiplimo’s coach Peter Chelangat believes that the switch from track events to long-distance races is paying off.
“He has done well on the track for many years, but this time now he has decided to shift to marathon because when you look all his track record, you find out that Jacob Kiplimo is so good in the road run races,” explained the coach, who believes that Kiplimo will also be a success o the roads.
Kiplimo dominated the men’s field in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, 12th October, 2025 breaking the tape in two hours, two minutes and 23 seconds in his second race over the distance
