David Rudisha's advice to Faith Kipyegon's husband Timothy Kitum that helped him win bronze at 2012 Olympics

When David Rudisha stormed to 800m glory at the 2012 London Olympics, setting a world record of 1:40.91, the first athlete he embraced was none other than his compatriot, Timothy Kitum. 

At just 17 years old, Kitum had already made his mark, having won silver at the World Youth Championships in Barcelona. 

However, his masterful race strategy in London—a tactic he fine-tuned thanks to a crucial piece of advice from Rudisha—earned him a well-deserved spot on the podium.

Unlike Rudisha, who was renowned for leading from the front and dictating the race, Kitum opted for a patient approach, biding his time before launching a devastating kick in the final stretch to snatch the bronze medal.

Speaking at a 2023 forum hosted by the Athletics Federation of India, Rudisha revealed the guidance he gave to Kitum before the final.

"In the final, we were two Kenyans. Timothy Kitum was a junior and was in that race, and I remember telling him, ‘You are still young and a good athlete, but let me give you a piece of advice.’"

Kitum had been under pressure from his coaches and team members, who urged him to shadow Rudisha in the race, believing that sticking close to the world record holder would improve his chances of success. But Rudisha knew that was a dangerous strategy.

"Whenever we were together in the evening with coaches, they used to put a lot of pressure on him—‘Run behind Rudisha. If he takes the front, just be right behind him.’"

"I could not really tell everybody, but I went and told him privately, ‘You just run your race because if you follow me, you will burn out before you finish that race.’ I was strong and very much ahead of him."

True to Rudisha’s warning, several competitors who tried to match his blistering pace, such as Ethiopia’s Mohamed Aman faded before the finish. But Kitum stuck to his plan, conserving energy before surging in the final 100 meters to claim bronze.

"If he had followed me like some others did, he would have burnt out. The guy ran very well, and towards the last 100 meters, he picked up well and won bronze."

At just 18 years old, Kitum clocked a personal best of 1:42.53, setting the Kenyan U-20 national record, a mark that still stands today. 

While he eventually took a backseat from competitive running to support his wife, Faith Kipyegon, in her career, Kitum’s achievements remain remarkable.

Fittingly, Kitum and Kipyegon met at the London Olympics, where both were competing as rising stars. 

Over the years, they have built a family together, blessed with a daughter, while Kipyegon has gone on to become the greatest female middle-distance runner of all time.

Though Kitum may no longer be in the competitive spotlight, his Olympic bronze and record-setting performances ensure that his name remains etched in Kenyan athletics history—and much of that success can be traced back to the wise counsel of David Rudisha.