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The death of Kelvin Kiptum, a world record holder in the marathon, was mourned by Eliud Kipchoge following a fatal car accident.
Unfortunately, 24-year-old Kiptum and his coach passed away in a tragic accident in Kaptagat, located in south-west Kenya, at 11pm on Sunday.
The new record for the Kenyan runner, set in Chicago in October, was officially recognized last week with a time of 2 hours, 0 minutes, and 35 seconds. This achievement surpasses Kipchoge’s previous record by over 30 seconds.
Kiptum, who won the London Marathon in the previous year, was planning to try and be the first person to run an official marathon in under two hours at a race in Rotterdam in April.
Kipchoge, who shares the four fastest men’s marathon times in history with his compatriot, said that he had been left “deeply saddened” by the news.
Kipchoge expressed his sorrow over the untimely death of Kelvin Kiptum, a rising star and record holder in the marathon, in a social media post.
“I extend my sincere sympathies to the grieving family of the talented athlete, who had a promising future ahead of him and the potential for incredible achievements.”
Kiptum had established himself as the new dominant force in men’s marathon running , becoming only the third man to break two hours and two minutes in a breakthrough debut in Valencia in December 2022 and then following it up with record runs in London and Chicago last year.
Last year, Kelvin Kiptum achieved a record-breaking time when he won the London Marathon.
His wife, Asenath Rotich, and their two children are the ones he leaves behind.
“I am stunned and extremely saddened by the tragic passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” expressed Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics. “On behalf of everyone at World Athletics, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to their loved ones, colleagues, teammates, and the people of Kenya.”
Earlier this week in Chicago, the location where Kelvin achieved his impressive marathon World Record, I officially approved his record-setting time. As an exceptional athlete with an outstanding legacy, he will be greatly missed.
Source: independent.co.uk
