World marathon record can go within a year - Kipsang

Former World marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang has said the new world record of 2:02:57 is likely to be broken again in the next one year.

Kipsang witnessed his training partner Dennis Kimetto devour his record of 2:03:23 from the 2013 Berlin Marathon by a massive 26 seconds at the same course on Sunday.

(READ: Dennis Kimetto sets new marathon world record in Berlin)

“I am happy for Kimetto but I won’t be shocked if he is to better it himself or other Kenyans within one year,” said Kipsang, who broke another Kenyan Patrick Makau’s previous world record of 2:03:38 at the same course after lowering it by 15 seconds last year.

“Kimetto’s feat shows that Kenya has got rich talent and that their training patterns have improved and that the level of competition is high. One just can’t sleep on his laurels and wait for things to happen,” added Kipsang.

(READ: Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto sets new world record in Berlin - PHOTOS)

Kipsang, who recaptured the Virgin Money London Marathon this year, said Kimetto has given them a huge challenge that they should too work extra hard and stay focused in order to shutter the record again.

(READ: Wilson Kipsang, Edna Kiplagat win London Marathon titles - VIDEO)

Kipsang explained that Kimetto’s commitment started when he won the 2013 Tokyo Marathon with a new course record time of 2:06:50 before bagging the 2013 Chicago Marathon title in a course-record time of 2:03:45.

(READ: Why sub-2hr marathon possible on the flat and fast Berlin course)

“We expected him to go for the record after he had committed himself while we training together in Iten alongside Geoffrey Mutai,” said Kipsang. “We knew he had the potential to break it, we tipped him how to go about it and he lived up to his billing.”

FASTEST MAN

Before Sunday, Mutai was the fastest man in marathon with a winning time of 2:03:02 from the 2011 Boston Marathon. However, his time is not officially recognised by the IAAF as the world record owing to the sloppy course at the finishing area.

However, Kipsang said it will be difficult for the record to be broken this year at Chicago Marathon on October 12, Frankfurt Marathon on October 26 or the New York City Marathon on November 2.

“Even though you never know what is on the other Kenyan athletes’ sleeves but it’s not possible until next year. Chances are slim this year,” said Kipsang, who also broke Makau’s records within a month when he retained the 2011 Frankfurt Marathon title in 2:03:42.

(READ: Kipsang, Keitany headline New York Marathon)

“A world record just can’t happen easily as it needs good preparations and focus,” said Kipsang, who will be gunning for his maiden New York Marathon title where victory will hand him the World Major Marathon title and a winner’s purse of Sh44.7million (US$500,000).