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According to Lord Coe, Kelvin Kiptum was on track to be the first person to run a marathon in under two hours in a competitive setting. The president of World Athletics also honored the Kenyan runner, who has since passed away.
Kiptum tragically lost his life in a car accident in February at the young age of 24.
The long-distance runner quickly became a rising star in the sport after achieving a remarkable feat of breaking Eliud Kipchoge’s world record in only his third official marathon, which took place in Chicago last year.
In his only three elite level entires, Kiptum ran three of the seven fastest times in history, and had been due to try to lower his record of two hours and 35 seconds in the Dutch city of Rotterdam in April.
Coe confidently believes that the 24-year-old could have achieved a feat comparable to Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile or the first climb of Mount Everest.
“It is disheartening to all of us that we will not get to see the full extent of his capabilities,” Lord Coe expressed to BBC Sport Africa.
Kelvin Kiptum was prepared to attempt breaking the two-hour barrier.
Definitely, he would have shattered it. It would be a combination of Roger Bannister and Edmund Hillary.
“I saw him on TV running in Chicago and he had a lovely form. It was efficient, smooth, and elegant. He appeared to be a skilled runner.”
In October, Kiptum ran in Chicago and his time was 34 seconds faster than Kipchoge’s previous record.
In 2019, a Kenyan runner achieved the feat of completing a 26.2 mile race in under two hours. However, this was done with the help of a team of pacemakers and other resources during a non-competitive event in Vienna.
Kiptum was buried in his hometown of Chepkorio in the Rift Valley on Friday, with Coe present to honor him.
The funeral of Kelvin Kiptum was attended by William Ruto, the president of Kenya.
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“He expressed his belief that Kelvin could have contributed even more remarkable chapters to the impressive legacy of Kenyan and global athletics,” he stated to the assembly.
“There can be few words from me that can ease the pain and sense of loss for Kelvin’s family, his fellow athletes, the legion of friends from within and beyond athletics. But I can speak on behalf of the entire World Athletics family: Kelvin, you will be missed.
It will take time for our sorrow and sorrow to lessen. Be reassured that your accomplishments will always be valued, lasting, and preserved in the records of history, and never, ever, forgotten.
Source: independent.co.uk
