Kenya’s World Record Holder, Kelvin Kiptum died in a road accident alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana on Sunday.
The 24-year-old who won the London Marathon in April 2023 before setting a world record in October was reported to have lost control of his vehicle while driving in Katapat at around 11 pm. He was in the vehicle with his coach and a third person who was rushed to the hospital as reported by the Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commandant, Peter Mulinge.
Some of the Prominent names who paid tribute to Kiptum were the former prime minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga who said “The country had lost a true hero and was mourning a remarkable individual and Kenyan athletics icon”. Kenya’s Sports Minister, Ababu Namwamba wrote on X in an emotional statement “Devastatingly sickening!! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words.” The President of the World Athletics Federation, Sebastian Coe also paid tribute to Kiptum describing him as “an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly”.
The Team had earlier announced last week that Kiptum would attempt to run the distance in under two hours at the Rotterdam Marathon – a feat that has never been achieved in open competition. Kiptum came into the limelight in 2023 as a rival to his fellow countryman, Eliud Kipchoge who is also one of the greatest marathon runners. He broke Kipchoge’s achievement in Chicago clocking the 26.1 miles (42km) in two hours and 35 seconds in October 2023.
