The athletics world is in mourning following the tragic demise of Kenya's marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, and his coach, in a road mishap in Nairobi on Sunday. The accident occurred less than five months after Kiptum set a new benchmark in marathon running, a promising career that promised so much more, tragically cut short at the age of 24.
"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," World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said in a post on X.
"It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon world record, that I was able to officially ratify his historic time. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly," he added.
Kelvin Kiptum's marathon world record
Kiptum had etched his name in history books by breaking the marathon world record, clocking an astounding time of 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2023. This remarkable feat, a testament to his extraordinary talent, had only been officially recognized by World Athletics just a week prior to his untimely passing.
The deadly crash
The fatal crash happened near Eldoret, a region celebrated for producing elite distance runners, under the cloak of night. Kiptum was behind the wheel of a Toyota Premio when he lost control, veering off the road and crashing into a tree, leading to fatal consequences for him and his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, while seriously injuring a female passenger, Sharon Kosgey.
At 36, Gervais Hakizimana was not only Kiptum's mentor but a distinguished former distance runner and the Rwandan record holder in the 3000m steeplechase. Their relationship had flourished, especially before the previous year's London Marathon, where Kiptum executed a strategic masterclass to win, marking a highlight in their collaboration.
Kiptum's inspiring journey
Kiptum's journey in distance running was nothing short of sensational. After claiming victory at the 2023 London Marathon, he stunned the global sports community with his record-setting performance in Chicago, positioning himself as the first athlete to finish a marathon in under two hours and one minute in a sanctioned event. This feat had surpassed the record previously held by his compatriot, Eliud Kipchoge. Both athletes were considered top contenders for Kenya at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Despite missing the Chicago marathon the previous year, Kiptum had his sights set on the Rotterdam Marathon in April 2024. He aspired to break the two-hour barrier on a record-eligible course, a dream that will now remain unfulfilled.
This heartbreaking event has left a void in the world of athletics, as the community grapples with the loss of a remarkable talent and the potential for greatness that Kelvin Kiptum represented.
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