Kenya’s marathon world record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, aged 24, lost his life in a tragic road accident along with his coach, Rwanda’s Gervais Hakizimana, in western Kenya on Sunday. The accident occurred around 23:00 local time.
Kiptum, who gained international recognition in 2023 as a notable rival to Eliud Kipchoge, set a new world record in the Chicago Marathon last October, completing the 26.1 miles (42km) in two hours and 35 seconds. Both Kiptum and Kipchoge were named in Kenya’s provisional marathon team for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba expressed his grief, stating, “Devastatingly sickening!! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words.” Raila Odinga, Kenya’s opposition leader and former prime minister, described Kiptum as “a true hero” and a “remarkable individual.”
Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, paid tribute to Kiptum, calling him “an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy. We will miss him dearly.”
The accident occurred when the vehicle, driven by Kiptum, lost control and rolled, leading to the tragic demise of both Kiptum and his coach. A third passenger, a female, sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital.
Just a week before the accident, Kiptum’s team had announced his plan to attempt running a marathon in under two hours at the Rotterdam marathon, a feat yet to be achieved in open competition.
Kiptum’s journey to fame was rapid, running his first full marathon in 2022 and quickly becoming a prominent figure in the sport. He faced financial challenges early in his career, running in borrowed shoes during his first major competition due to a lack of resources.
Reflecting on his unorthodox path, Kiptum explained, “I had no money to travel to track sessions.” His coach, Hakizimana, a retired Rwandese runner, played a crucial role in Kiptum’s success, spending months helping him target the world record.
Their coach-athlete relationship began in 2018, but their initial encounter occurred when Kiptum was a young boy herding livestock barefooted. Hakizimana, reminiscing about their first meeting in 2009, said, “Now, I am grateful to him for his achievement.”
BBC
