(Image via news.sky.com)
Volunteer Writer: Akshit Bagga
Email: abagga@umassd.edu
Kelvin Kiptum, marathon world record holder from Kenya, died in a road accident on February 11th, at the age of 24, sending shock waves in the sporting community.
The 24-year-old athlete was killed when he was driving in western Kenya around 11 PM. He lost control of his car, and it rolled over, killing the young sensation and his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
A local police officer confirmed that both Kelvin and Gervais died instantaneously, while another passenger sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital.
In a statement to the press, Kenyan athlete Milcah Chemos, who was at the hospital mortuary, confirmed the news. According to him, the accident occurred between the towns of Eldoret and Kaptagat in western Kenya, a region known for training distance runners at high altitudes.
Kiptum’s excellence in the athletic world emerged in recent years. He first made headlines when he made his marathon debut in December 2022, clocking 2:01:53 to win the Maraton Valencia Trinidad Alfonso EDP.
Kelvin exploded in the marathon scene in October of 2023, running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in a world record time of 2:00:35. He was 34 seconds off fellow Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge, who held the previous world record. When he broke the record, Kiptum was just 23 years old and competing in his third marathon.
Kelvin Kiptum was born in 1999 in the Keiyo district of Kenya and started running at 13 years old. He first entered the half marathon – the Eldoret Half Marathon and finished in 10th place overall. He first made his international debut in 2019 at the Lisbon Half Marathon and was placed 5th overall.
Kiptum participated in several marathons worldwide, and his trademark approach to running a marathon was a speedy second half. The Kenyan national hadn’t raced since the Chicago marathon but mentioned that he would attempt to become the first man to run an official marathon under the two-hour mark in Rotterdam on April 14th.
He was the overwhelming favorite to win the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics gold medal.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe expressed his condolences, stating, “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.” Sebastian mentioned:
“It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon world record, that I was officially ratify his historic time. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
With Kiptum’s extraordinary performance in the London marathon and record-breaking run in the Chicago marathon, he was named 2023 World Athlete of the Year for men’s out of stadia events.
Kenya’s former prime minister, Raila Odinga, was among those who paid their tributes to Kelvin. He wrote on his X account:
“Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, world record holder and Kenyan athletics icon. Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight. Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”
With a hole in the world of distance running, Kiptum leaves behind his wife, Asenath Cheruto Rotich, and two children. Kenyan President William Ruto paid his obituaries and ordered a house to be built for Kiptum’s family within a 40-day mourning period.
Athletics Kenya said in a statement, “Kelvin will be laid to rest on Friday, February 23rd, 2024, in at his home in Chepkorio Village, Elgeyo Marakwet.”
Kelvin Kiptum broke barriers in the athletic world and will be in memories for a long time.