Nairobi, Kenya – The world of athletics is in mourning following the tragic death of Kelvin Kiptum, the reigning men’s marathon world record holder. Kiptum, 24, passed away in a car accident in western Kenya, along with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana of Rwanda. The accident occurred late at night, killing Kiptum and Hakizimana, while a third passenger was rushed to the hospital.
Kiptum had risen to fame in 2023 after surpassing the record set by his fellow Kenyan, Eliud Kipchoge, during the Chicago marathon. His remarkable achievement of completing the 26.1 miles in two hours and 35 seconds catapulted him into the spotlight as a rising star in the world of long-distance running.
Tragically, just last week, Kiptum had announced his intention to attempt running the distance in under two hours at the Rotterdam marathon – a feat that has never been accomplished in open competition. His untimely death has left the athletics community reeling, with Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, paying tribute to Kiptum as “an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy.”
Kiptum’s journey to success had been one of determination and perseverance. He had only run his first full marathon in 2022, and four years earlier he had participated in his first major competition, running in borrowed shoes due to financial constraints. His coach, Hakizimana, a retired Rwandese runner, had been instrumental in helping Kiptum set his sights on achieving the world record.
The relationship between Kiptum and Hakizimana stretched back to 2018, but their initial encounter dated even further back to when Kiptum was a young boy herding livestock barefooted. This tragic loss has not only impacted the world of athletics but has also highlighted the incredible journey of two individuals who defied the odds to leave a lasting impact in the sport.