Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum dies in car accident
His coach, Gervais Hakizimana, also died in the incident.
(Cordon Press)
Marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum died Sunday in a car accident on the Eldoret-Kaptagat highway in Kenya. The 24-year-old athlete, originally from Eldoret, Kenya, held the record marathon time of 2:00:35. His coach, Gervais Hakizimana, also died in the accident.
Kiptum earned his first victory in Valencia, Spain, in 2022. His mark then was 2:01:53. The following year, he broke the world record in Chicago, getting closer to the long-cherished marathon dream of surpassing the two-hour mark.
The runner was married to Asenath Rotich and had two children.
"An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly," World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said in a statement.
Among other farewell messages, both the Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge and the president of Kenya, William Ruto, dedicated a few words to him:
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