– Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum
– Car crash in Kenya, fellow athlete says.
Kelvin Kiptum, Marathon World Record-Holder, Dies in Tragic Car Crash
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — In a devastating turn of events, Kelvin Kiptum, the marathon world record-holder, and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, have tragically lost their lives in a car crash in Kenya. The news of their untimely demise has sent shockwaves throughout the running community, as Kiptum, at just 24 years old, was on track to become a superstar of long-distance running.
The fatal accident occurred late Sunday on a road between the towns of Eldoret and Kaptagat in western Kenya, a region renowned as a training base for long-distance runners. Milcah Chemos, a fellow Kenyan runner who rushed to the hospital upon hearing the news, confirmed the unfortunate incident.
Chemos revealed that she, along with a group of athletes, had gathered at the hospital in Eldoret to mourn the loss of their friend. Family members of Kiptum were also present to identify his body, adding to the heart-wrenching scene.
Reports from the Kenyan media indicate that a third person, a woman, was also in the car and has been hospitalized with serious injuries.
Kiptum, who recently made history as the first man to complete a marathon in under 2 hours and 1 minute, set the new world record of 2:00.35 at the Chicago Marathon in October. This remarkable achievement, surpassing the previous record held by fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, was officially ratified by the international track federation World Athletics just last week.
His talent and potential were evident from the start, as Kiptum burst onto the scene by running the fastest time ever for a marathon debutant at the 2022 Valencia Marathon. He went on to clinch victory in the prestigious London and Chicago marathons last year, solidifying his position as one of the world’s top long-distance runners.
A Devastating Loss for the Running Community
The news of Kiptum’s and Hakizimana’s tragic demise has resonated deeply within the global athletics community. World Athletics president Sebastian Coe expressed his condolences, acknowledging the immense loss suffered by both families and the entire Kenyan nation.
In a heartfelt statement, Coe shared, “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.”
Coe further emphasized the impact Kiptum had made, stating, “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.”
The loss of Kiptum and Hakizimana leaves a void in the world of long-distance running. Their untimely deaths serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of accidents.
As the running community mourns the loss of these talented individuals, their memory and achievements will continue to inspire future generations of athletes to push the boundaries of human potential in the world of long-distance running..
– Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum dies in tragic car crash
– Kenya mourns the loss of marathon legend Kelvin Kiptum.
