Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum, the world record holder for the men's marathon, tragically lost his life in a car accident in his home country. The accident occurred on a road in western Kenya, resulting in the death of Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana from Rwanda. Kiptum rose to prominence in 2023 as a formidable rival to his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge, one of the greatest marathon runners of all time. In October of the same year, Kiptum surpassed Kipchoge's record by completing the 26.2-mile (42km) distance in an impressive two hours and 35 seconds at the Chicago Marathon.
Both Kiptum and Kipchoge were named in Kenya's provisional marathon team for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Kipchoge expressed his condolences to Kiptum's family, describing him as a rising star with immense potential for achieving incredible greatness. Kenya's President William Ruto also paid tribute to Kiptum, recognizing him as an extraordinary athlete who made a lasting impact on the world of sports.
The fatal accident occurred around 23:00 local time on Sunday when Kiptum lost control of the vehicle, veering off-road and colliding with a tree. Unfortunately, both Kiptum and Hakizimana died at the scene, while a young woman who was also in the car sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Kiptum's car has been taken to a local police station for further investigation. Tragically, just a week prior to the accident, Kiptum's team had announced his intention to attempt running a marathon in under two hours in Rotterdam in April, a feat that has never been accomplished in open competition.
Kiptum's journey to prominence was remarkable, having only competed in his first full marathon in 2022. He quickly made a name for himself by achieving the fourth fastest time on record (2:01:53) at the Valencia Marathon, followed by setting a course record of 2:01:25 at the London Marathon in April 2023. In his final race in Chicago, Kiptum broke the world record by shaving off 34 seconds from the previous time. His strategic approach involved running with the pack for 30km before accelerating and leading the race independently.
In 2018, Kiptum participated in his first major competition, running with borrowed shoes due to financial constraints. He represented a new generation of Kenyan athletes who started their careers on the road, deviating from the traditional path of beginning on the track before transitioning to longer distances. Kiptum cited a lack of resources as the reason for his unorthodox choice.
The news of Kiptum's untimely demise has deeply affected the people of Kenya, with individuals gathering outside the hospital in Eldoret to mourn his passing. Many expressed their condolences and acknowledged Kiptum's immense potential for greatness. Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba and opposition leader Raila Odinga both expressed their sorrow at the loss of a remarkable athlete and national icon. Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, recognized Kiptum as an incredible athlete leaving behind an incredible legacy.
Kiptum's coach, Hakizimana, was a retired Rwandan runner who played a significant role in helping Kiptum aim for the world record. Their coach-athlete relationship began in 2018, but they had crossed paths years earlier when Kiptum was a young boy herding livestock. Hakizimana fondly remembered their initial encounters and expressed gratitude for Kiptum's achievements.
The loss of Kelvin Kiptum has left a void in the world of marathon running, but his accomplishments and potential will be remembered as a lasting legacy.
