Kenya's marathon superstar Kelvin Kiptum and middle-distance runner Faith Kipyegon have been named 2023 Athletes of the Year by an American outlet, LetsRun.com.

This is the second recognition for the Kenyans who were named winners of different categories in the World Athletics honours of the Year. World Athletics decided to name different winners of the award in track, best field, and best out-of-stadia athlete, splitting the usual joint award.

The American publication did not split the awards, in contrast to World Athletics' procedure, and named Kiptum and Kipyegon as winners of men's and women's year awards.

"Our 2023 World Athlete of the Year isn’t a field eventer, though. It’s marathoner Kelvin Kiptum, who basically enjoyed a perfect 2023 campaign," the publication announced.

Kiptum had an outstanding campaign in 2023, and it was on two occasions that he mastered an impressive show: in the London Marathon in April and in the Chicago Marathon, when he set a new record.

In London, after a 61:40 first half, Kiptum recorded the fastest half-marathon split ever in a marathon, which was 59:45, and during the final 12k of that, he was running all alone.

After the London heroics, he waited for months to feature on the Chicago course and shatter a record set by a marathon great, Eliud Kipchoge.

Kiptum won after running in 2:01:25, taking more than a minute off Kipchoge‘s 2:02:37 course record.

Before Kiptum's super show in London, no man had won London by more than a minute since 2012.

The Chepkorio-born star had impressive splits as he took on rivals in the Chicago marathon. After a 60:48 first half, he blitzed the second half in 59:47 in Chicago, which was the second-fastest second half ever, behind only his 59:45 in London.