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.
We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
On behalf of all World Athletics we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.
It was only earlier this week in… pic.twitter.com/dDBKgjXNKL
— Seb Coe (@sebcoe) February 11, 2024
Among other farewell messages, both the Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge and the president of Kenya, William Ruto, dedicated a few words to him:
Rest in peace Kelvin. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QqivOklTxk
— Eliud Kipchoge - EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) February 12, 2024
Kelvin Kiptum was a star. Arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record.
He was only 24 yet, as a hero, triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and in other top competitions. His mental strength and discipline were unmatched. Kiptum… pic.twitter.com/Ff7nild1CG
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 12, 2024
