Kelvin Kiptum: Marathon World Record Holder Dies in Car Crash

Tributes are pouring in for Kelvin Kiptum, the 24-year-old marathon world record holder, who tragically lost his life in a road accident on Sunday, along with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, per The Guardian.

The accident occurred in Kaptagat, southwest Kenya, with police reporting that Kiptum lost control of his vehicle at 11 pm local time.

Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga expressed his condolences, describing Kiptum as a "remarkable individual" and a "true hero."

Similar sentiments were shared by Kenya's Minister for Sports, Ababu Namwamba, and Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, who noted Kiptum's incredible legacy.

The road accident took place around 23:00 local time on Sunday, resulting in the tragic deaths of Kiptum and Coach Hakizimana.

According to police, Kiptum was the driver, and the vehicle lost control, causing it to roll over, instantly claiming both lives. A female passenger was injured and rushed to the hospital.

Just a week prior, Kiptum's team had announced his attempt to break the two-hour barrier at the Rotterdam Marathon, a goal that has never been achieved in open competition.

Kiptum's rise to fame was swift, having run his first full marathon only in 2022, and he quickly became a notable figure among a new generation of Kenyan athletes starting their careers on the road.

Kelvin Kiptum's Remarkable Journey in Athletics

Kelvin Kiptum, a father of two, had a meteoric rise in the marathon scene.

His debut at the 2022 Valencia Marathon saw him clinch victory with a time of 2:01:53, Yahoo! Sports noted.

He went on to set a course record of 2:01:25 at the 2024 London Marathon and then achieved the world record with an impressive 2:00:35 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.

Notably, Kiptum ran three major marathons, with all three times ranking among the seven fastest ever recorded. He was the sole runner to break the 2:02 mark three times.

Planning to attempt breaking the two-hour mark at the upcoming Rotterdam Marathon and eyeing his first Olympics in Paris, Kiptum's promising future was abruptly cut short.

Born and raised in Chepsamo village in Chepkorio, Kiptum began his competitive running career around the age of 13.

He leaves behind a wife and two children.

Legacy of Coach Hakizimana and Kelvin Kiptum's Inspirational Background

Gervais Hakizimana, Kiptum's coach, was a retired Rwandese runner, and their coach-athlete relationship began in 2018.

Hakizimana had fond memories of Kiptum as a young boy herding livestock barefooted near his father's farm, according to BBC.

Despite the initial encounters, Hakizimana expressed gratitude for Kelvin Kiptum's remarkable achievements.

Kelvin Kiptum's journey from running in borrowed shoes due to financial constraints to becoming a world marathon record holder is an inspirational tale.

His untimely death has left the athletics community and fans worldwide in shock, mourning the loss of a promising talent and an individual who had achieved incredible feats in a short span.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Rest In Peace Kelvin Kiptum - From Total Running Productions