SUMMARY
- Kenya's world-record marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum died at the age of 24.
- Kiptum was driving a vehicle when he met with an accident along with his coach.
Kelvin Kiptum, the Kenyan marathon runner, died on the spot when his vehicle lost control and met with an accident in western Kenya. Kiptum was 24 years old when he died. According to reports, Kiptum was driving the car with his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana in the car with him along with a female passenger. Kiptum and his coach lost their lives after the car rolled over, the female passenger is reportedly in the hospital.
According to The Guardian, the world-record marathon runner “lost control of his vehicle while driving in Kaptagat, south-west Kenya, at 11 pm local time.”
Kelvin Kiptum, the men’s marathon world record holder, has died aged 24.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/olSA60v0Xm
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 11, 2024
Further, The Guardian reports that local county commander Peter Mulinge informed the Nation newspaper about the incident. Their car had hit a tree before it landed in a ditch.
“This was a self-involved accident where one Kelvin Kiptum, the world marathon record holder, was driving his vehicle with two passengers,” Mulinge added. “Kiptum and Hakizimana died on the spot and the third person was rushed to Racecourse Hospital in Eldoret.”
The athletics world was in mourning as one of the brightest stars of the sport lost his life. Kiptum recently made the world record marathon run and was expected to win at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The athletics world mourns the death of world-record marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum
The president of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, said he was “shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kiptum.”
“An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly,” he added.
Kenyan middle-distance runner Faith Kipyegon posted a picture of her with Kiptum and wrote, “Condolences to the family and friends of Kelvin Kiptum. You will be missed by all in the athletics community. Rest in Peace.”
Condolences to the family and friends of Kelvin Kiptum. You will be missed by all in the athletics community. Rest in Peace. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hq9lsgXX8Z
— Faith Kipyegon, EGH🇰🇪 (@Kipyegon_Faith) February 12, 2024
One of the greatest runners of all-time Sir Mo Farah also took to X to write, “I’m so sad to hear the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. Kelvin was an amazingly talented athlete and had already achieved so much. He truly had a special talent and I have no doubt he would have gone on to have had an incredible career. I send all my sympathies and condolences to his and Gervais’ family and friends at this tragic time.”
I’m so sad to hear the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. Kelvin was an amazingly talented athlete and had already achieved so much. He truly had a special talent and I have no doubt he would have gone on to have had an incredible career. I send all my… pic.twitter.com/bNXJA1FgBL
— Sir Mo Farah (@Mo_Farah) February 12, 2024
Kenya’s former prime minister, Raila Odinga, also wrote on X, “Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, world record-holder and Kenyan athletics icon. Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight. Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”
Kenyans were in mourning when they learned about the runner’s death. The 24-year-old had the potential to break the 2-hour barrier. However, tragedy struck the country.
Kelvin Kiptum’s world record was recently ratified by the World Athletics
Kiptum, born on 2 December 1999, in Chepsamo, Chepkorio, Kenya, ran the fastest-ever marathon debut at the 2022 Valencia Marathon. He broke the two-hour and two-minute barrier to set the then-fourth-quickest time ever.
Just four months later, Kiptum pulled off the second-fastest marathon in history at 2:01:25. He did it at the 2023 London Marathon (WMM) and was left just 16 seconds outside the world record. However, the record could not elude him. In his next race, in October 2023, the 2023 Chicago Marathon (WMM), he broke the world record by 34 seconds. Kiptum finished with a time of two hours and 35 seconds.
His world record time of 2:00:35, which passed countryman Eliud Kipchoge’s old mark, was ratified by World Athletics last week. Kiptum was also looking to continue his momentum and had plans to break the two-hour mark. He will be a huge loss to the sporting community.