Kiplimo stuns in marathon debut, breaks Ugandan record
He came home in a national record of 2:03:37. That's right, at the first time of asking, the 24-year-old has set the fastest time of any other Ugandan before him.
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo crosses the line to finish second in the men's race at the 2025 London Marathon in central London on April 27, 2025. AFP PHOTO
Charles Mutebi
Sports journalist @New Vision
Jacob Kiplimo's marathon debut lived up to the hype as he secured second place in the London Marathon on Sunday.
Kiplimo came home in a national record of 2:03:37. That's right, at the first time of asking, Kiplimo has set the fastest time of any other Ugandan before him.
Then again, for the fastest man across 21km, it is not entirely surprising.
Jacob Kiplimo (L), winner, Kenya's Sabastian Sawe (C) and third place, Kenya's Alexander Mutiso Munyao (R) pose with their trophies at the presentation ceremony for the men's elite race at the 2025 London Marathon. AFP Photo
It was over a minute after winner Sebastian Sawe from Kenya crossed the line (2:02:26), but make no mistake, this was a huge statement from Kiplimo.
If he had any doubts about whether he has a future in the discipline, if anyone has any doubts about his marathon prospects, here is an emphatic answer.
In a race packed with marathon royalty, including the revered if fading figure of Eliud Kipchoge, Kiplimo delivered a great performance.
It was not the display of a typical debutant. Then again, Kiplimo is no typical athlete.
What an amazing future awaits Kiplimo. No, not the future… the present.