Published on 12.02.2024
The men’s marathon world record holder, Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum, 24, has passed away in a road accident in his home country.
He died alongside his coach, Rwanda’s Gervais Hakizimana, on a road in western Kenya on Sunday.
Kiptum made a breakthrough in 2023 as a rival to compatriot Eliud Kipchoge – one of the greatest marathon runners.
The two athletes had been named in Kenya’s provisional marathon team for the Paris Olympics later this year.
Kiptum broke the record for the London Marathon last year, winning the men’s event in the second-fastest marathon in history, crossing the finish line in two hours, one minute and 25 seconds.
Last year he broke the men’s world record, winning the Chicago Marathon in two hours and 35 seconds, beating the mark of fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge.
His record was ratified by international track federation World Athletics last week.
World Athletics president Seb Coe said: “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.
“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 was seen as the favourite to win the gold medal at the Olympics in Paris this summer, in what many expected would be a huge showdown with compatriot Eliud Kipchoge, who is the defending champion.
Kiptum had been setting his sights on running the first-ever sub-two-hour marathon in Rotterdam in April. His intense training session meant he had been seeing his family just once per week, but the Kenyan was hopeful of a successful year.
