The world of athletics is in mourning after the shocking news of the death of Kelvin Kiptum, the marathon world record holder and one of the greatest runners of all time. Kiptum, 24, and his coach Gervais Hakizimana, were killed in a car crash on Sunday near Eldoret, Kenya, where they had been training for the upcoming Rotterdam Marathon.
Kiptum was a phenomenon in the marathon scene, having broken the world record twice in his short but brilliant career. He first stunned the world in October 2023, when he ran the Chicago Marathon in 2:00:35, shattering the previous record of 2:01:09 set by his compatriot and mentor Eliud Kipchoge in 2022. He then followed up with another sensational performance in April 2023, when he won the London Marathon in 2:01:25, the second-fastest marathon in history.
Kiptum was widely regarded as the successor of Kipchoge, the Olympic champion and the only man to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a special event in Vienna in 2022. Kipchoge expressed his grief and admiration for Kiptum in a statement on Monday, saying:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of the Marathon World record holder and rising star Kelvin Kiptum. He was a humble and talented young man who had a bright future ahead of him. He inspired millions of people with his incredible achievements and his passion for running. He will be dearly missed by the running community and the whole world.”
Kiptum’s rise to fame was remarkable, considering that he only ran his first full marathon in 2022. He started his running career on the road, unlike most Kenyan athletes who begin on the track, due to a lack of resources and opportunities. Also ran his first major race in 2018, wearing borrowed shoes, and finished fourth in the Valencia Half Marathon in Spain. He then improved his personal best to 58:42 in the same race in 2019, becoming the seventh-fastest half marathoner in history.
Kiptum’s death is a huge loss for Kenya and the world of sports, as he was widely expected to challenge the two-hour barrier in the marathon and dominate the distance for years to come. He leaves behind his wife and two young children, as well as countless fans and admirers. He will be remembered as a legend who pushed the limits of human potential and inspired generations of runners. Rest in peace, Kelvin Kiptum.
