The record holder for the men’s marathon, tragically Kelvin Kiptum passes away in a road accident in his homeland. Alongside him, his coach Gervais Hakizimana from Rwanda also lost his life in the same car accident on a road in western Kenya last Sunday. Kiptum had emerged as a notable contender in 2023, posing a challenge to his fellow countryman Eliud Kipchoge, renowned as one of the premier marathon runners.
Kiptum surpassed Kipchoge’s record by completing the 26.2 miles (42km) distance in two hours and 35 seconds during the Chicago marathon last October. Both athletes had been included in Kenya’s preliminary marathon squad for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Kipchoge expressed his condolences, acknowledging Kiptum’s potential as a rising star who had an entire lifetime ahead of him to achieve remarkable feats. He extended sympathies to Kiptum’s family during this difficult time.
Tragic Accident Claims Marathon Record Holder Kelvin Kiptum’s Life
Kenya’s President William Ruto joined in paying tribute after Kelvin Kiptum passes away, describing him as an extraordinary sportsman whose legacy had made a lasting impact on the world of athletics. Meanwhile, Kiptum’s father, Samson Cheruiyot, expressed profound grief over the loss of his son. “Kiptum was my only child, now he’s left me,” Cheruiyot lamented in an interview with Kenya’s Citizen TV. “I don’t know what to say. I see his children will be looking to me, and my child is gone… Now, who will help us raise his kids?”
Cause of the Accident: How Kelvin Kiptum passes away
Kelvin Kiptum passes away after the tragic road accident occurred around 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Sunday, leaving Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, deceased at the scene. According to police reports, Kiptum was driving when he lost control of the vehicle, veering off-road and entering a ditch on his left side. The car traveled approximately 60 meters in the ditch before colliding with a large tree. The impact of the crash also resulted in serious injuries to a third occupant of the vehicle, a young woman, who was promptly transported to the hospital for medical attention.
Breaking the Record
Just a week before Kelvin Kiptum passes away, his team had announced his intention to attempt to break the two-hour barrier in the marathon, with plans to compete in Rotterdam in April. This ambitious endeavor had garnered significant attention, as it aimed to achieve a milestone never before accomplished in open competition.
Kelvin Kiptum: A Meteoric Ascent
Kelvin Kiptum, a father-of-two, soared to prominence with astonishing speed, marking his debut in the full marathon circuit in 2022. His inaugural appearance left an indelible mark as he blazed through the Valencia Marathon, clinching victory with a fourth fastest time on record (2:01:53). The momentum surged as he shattered records, setting a course-best of 2:01:25 at the London Marathon in April 2023. In a mere six months, Kiptum stunned the world by slashing 34 seconds off the global record in Chicago during his third marathon, culminating his meteoric rise. His strategic prowess was evident as he executed a distinctive tactical approach, shadowing the pack for 30km before forging ahead solo for the remainder of the grueling race.
Marathon Domination
Kiptum’s journey into the marathon echelon was paved with resilience and resourcefulness. He embarked on his maiden major competition in 2018, donning borrowed shoes due to financial constraints that barred him from acquiring his pair. Emerging amidst a new wave of Kenyan athletes, Kiptum diverged from the conventional path of track-based initiation, opting instead to commence his career on the unforgiving roads. Reflecting on his unconventional trajectory, Kiptum candidly shared with the BBC his pragmatic rationale, citing a lack of financial means to partake in track sessions.