Berlin Marathon: Kiplimo to pace for Eliud Kipchoge's big day

Uganda's long-distance star Jacob Kiplimo has confirmed that he will participate as an elite pacer in the 2023 Berlin Marathon slated for September 24. 

Kiplimo took to social media to announce: "Hi everyone, are you ready for your race in Berlin on September 24?"

"I will be joining as your personal pacer," he stated on Facebook before adding: "Can't wait to be there."

For starters, a pacer or pace-setter is an experienced runner who can run at a set pace for a long time and sets the speed so the runner can focus on running.

The role came to light for Team Uganda at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, Eugene, Oregon, USA, where marathoner Stephen Kissa 'sacrificed' himself for Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei in the 10,000m finals. Cheptegei went on to win gold as Kiplimo clinched bronze. 

Similarly, at the 2023 Worlds in Budapest, Rogers Kibet and Joel Ayeko paced Cheptegei, who won his third consecutive world title.

It is understood that Kiplimo will be pacing for non-elite athletes at the marathon giving him an easier task.

Kipchoge has won the Berlin marathon title in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022, also setting a world record in 2018 and 2022.

The Berlin Marathon will also mark Kiplimo's return to active athletics after skipping the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest due to injury.

Kiplimo has also been selected to lead Uganda's team in the 2023 World Road Running Championships, which will take place in Riga, Latvia, on October 1.

Kiplimo currently holds the men's half-marathon world record at 57:31, set on November 21, 2021, during the Lisbon Half Marathon.