World Athletics president Seb Coe leads tributes after marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, 24, dies in a car crash in Kenya… as Piers Morgan and Eliud Kipchoge also take to social media to offer condolences
World Athletics president Seb Coe has led the tributes to marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum following his tragic death.
On Sunday evening it was confirmed that world marathon record holder Kiptum had died at the age of 24 after a car accident in his native Kenya.
Kiptum made history in October when he clocked 2:00.35 to win the Chicago Marathon, breaking compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s world record by 34 seconds. His milestone time was only officially ratified by World Athletics last Tuesday.
His coach, Gervais Hakizimana of Rwanda, also died in the road accident near Kaptagat, an area in the southwest of the country known as a training base for distance runners.
Following the tragic news, tributes poured in from across the sport, with World Athletics chairman Coe posting an emotional message about the runner.
World marathon record holder Kiptum died at the age of 24 after a car accident in his native Kenya
World athletics chairman Seb Coe led the tribute to world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum
Coe took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to pay a touching tribute to the 24-year-old
World Athletics president Seb Coe led the tributes to Kiptum on Sunday evening, saying he was “an incredible athlete who leaves an incredible legacy.”
He wrote on X: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
“On behalf of all of World Athletics, we extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.
‘It wasn’t until 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 who leaves an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
Retired long-distance runner Sir Mo Farah took to Instagram to share his moving tribute to Kiptum’s death.
Posting about his story, Farah wrote: ‘Marathon WR Kelvin Kiptum died in a car accident at the age of 24, so sad!!’.
Talk TV presenter Piers Morgan also took to social media to pay his respects to the marathoner, as he wrote: ‘Incredibly shocking and saddening news that Kenyan superstar Kelvin Kiptum, who recently broke the world marathon record, has been tipped to break the barrier of two hours to break. & due to the epic showdown at the Paris Olympics with Eliud Kipchoge, died in a car accident at the age of just 24. RIP.’
Kipchoge himself, who previously held the marathon world record before Kiptum beat it by 34 seconds, wrote an emotional message on social media.
It said: ‘I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of marathon world record holder and rising star Kelvin Kiptum.
Tributes to the Kenyan flooded social media following Sunday’s devastating news
“An athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness.
“I extend my deepest condolences to his young family. May God comfort you in this difficult time.”
Meanwhile, Ugandan long-distance runner Joshua Cheptegei also posted an emotional message for Kiptum, saying: “I am so heartbroken and shocked by the sad news of the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana.
“My condolences to both families, friends and all athletics fans around the world. A traffic accident robbed us of such great talent. Rest in power, buddy’.
Former footballer Joey Barton – who has been widely condemned for his sexist views in recent weeks – also took to social media to pay his respects, as he said: ‘RIP Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakimana. Terribly sad news’.
Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba wrote on X: ‘Devastatingly sickening!! Kenya has lost a special pearl. Lost for words.’
Meanwhile, Kenyan opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said: “Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, world record holder and Kenyan athletics icon.
‘Together with his coach they tragically died tonight. My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends and the entire athletics fraternity. Our nation mourns the profound loss of a true hero.”
Many quickly took to social media to pay tribute to the ‘remarkable’ marathoner
The official account of the London Marathon also took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to pay tribute to the late athlete. They wrote: ‘We are shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible news of the deaths of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
“The thoughts of everyone at the TCS London Marathon are with the family and friends of Kelvin and Gervais.”
Meanwhile, the marathon’s event director, Hugh Brasher, also paid tribute, as he said: ‘Kelvin had the sport of marathon in his feet and on his feet. He was a ‘once in a generation’ athlete who wanted to redefine the boundaries of our sport.
‘Three marathons, three victories. The fastest marathon debutant in Valencia, the London course record holder and the world record holder in Chicago, all within the space of less than 12 months. He had a flame that burned so bright and was tragically extinguished last night.
“As a sport, we mourn a life so tragically cut short, a talent and work ethic that was only beginning to be appreciated and a man we were only just beginning to know.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends and those of his coach Gervais.
“We hope that Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei, who was traveling with them, makes a full and speedy recovery.”
Kiptum (L) and his coach Gervais Hakizimana (R) reportedly died in a road accident in Kenya’s Kaptagat area at 11pm local time
Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba wrote: ‘Devastatingly sickening! Kenya has lost a special pearl. Lost for words.’
On Monday morning, details of the crash have now been revealed: A female passenger, Sharon Chepkemoi, 32, survived the incident after being taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
According to Kenneth Kimaiyo – one of the first responders at the crash site – via NationKiptum’s body was found under the vehicle while the runner was already dead and Hakizimana was still alive on a hill.
He said he saw a man on a motorcycle assist Chepkemoi at the scene, who screamed for help and was taken to Sanvanis Pharmacy before being transferred to MTRH.
World marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum died on Sunday after crashing into a tree
“We tried to save the carriage because it was still breathing, but it died immediately,” said Kimaiyo, who added that he had known Kiptum for a long time as he often visited his shop in Chepkorio.
“Kiptum was under his car with a torn seat belt and he was already dead,” he revealed.
The newspaper adds that Kiptum lost control of his vehicle at the Kaptagat area along the Eldama Ravine-Eldoret on his way back from Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County.
Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei said the vehicle veered off the road into a ditch before hitting a large tree 60 meters off the main road.
He said the bodies have been taken to hospital for an autopsy, which will begin after families have been informed and “all arrangements have been made.”
Kenyan journalist Kipruto Lagat has published photos of the crash site on social media, according to him
Kiptum won his first London Marathon last April in a course record of 2:01.25, which was then the second fastest marathon time ever. It followed an eye-catching win on his marathon debut in Valencia in December 2022.
Kiptum would have been the favorite to win gold at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, in what would be an almighty showdown against his teammate Kipchoge, the 39-year-old two-time defending champion.