By John Barnes Ssentamu
Fresh from becoming the first ever Ugandan marathon Major winner after triumphing at the Chicago marathon over the weekend, Jacob Kiplimo is back in the country.
“I sure don’t want to talk about the marathon. But one thing is clear. I travelled knowing that I am coming up against some of the best in the World and I thank God I bettered them” he said at the arrivals lounge at Entebbe International Airport.
In the Chicago marathon, which was his second, Kiplimo finished in a new national record time of 2:02:23 that ensured steady progression from second on his debut at the London marathon, to the top podium on his second.
“For now, I am taking a brief break before returning to train for defense of my World Cross Country championship title in January next year”.
Jacob Kiplimo’s World Cross Country title defense will be in Tallahassee, Florida,United States of America on the 10th January 2026.
The 24-year-old cleared the air about his future by declaring that “he may never be seen again running on the track (5,000 and 10,000m), with his focus now entirely on the road races”.
National council of sports assistant General Secretary Milton Chebet applauded Kiplimo for the victory that he said inspires government into spending on sports, which in turn markets the country globally.
During his 24 years, Jacob Kiplimo has dominated the World stage with double Gold at the Commonwealth Games, a one time Olympic Games bronze medallist, one timeWorld Championship bronze medallist and has been in the top eight at the Olympics on two occasions.
His time on the road that has just started is close to stellar.He has shone in the half-marathon, the 15-kilometers road race and in just his second full marathon is the seventh fastest man over the distance.
