Mourners gather to pay tribute at the site of car crash that killed marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, 24, as new images show extent of the damage to athlete’s Toyota Premio
Mourners have gathered to pay tribute to marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, as the Kenyan star tragically died in a car crash on Sunday.
The runner died on Sunday at the age of 24 in his native Kenya, while his coach, Rwandan Gervais Hakizimana, 37, also died in the road accident near Kaptagat.
The area in southwestern Kenya is known as a training base for distance runners.
The public visited the scene of the accident on Monday to pay tribute to the late star.
Fellow Kenyan long-distance stars were also pictured after viewing Kiptum’s body at the Racecourse Mortuary in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret.
Mourners gathered at the scene of the car crash that killed marathon star Kelvin Kiptum
Fellow runners and the public were somber after seeing Kiptum’s body
Double Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon was pictured in tears at the Racecourse Mortuary
A woman was seen being taken away after viewing Kiptum’s body in the morgue
Mourners gathered to pay their respects to Kiptum after his death on Sunday
The world record holder and his coach Gervais Hakizimana died in the car accident
Kiptum and Hakizimana were killed after the marathon runner’s car crashed into a tree
Faith Kipyegon, a two-time Olympic women’s 1,500m champion, was pictured in tears after seeing Kiptum’s body.
It depicted a woman being carried away from the morgue.
New images have also been published showing the extent of the damage to the athlete’s Toyota Premio.
Details of the crash were revealed on Monday, with a female passenger, Sharon Chepkemoi, 32, surviving 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.
The newspaper adds that Kiptum, a father of two and son of a runner and volleyball player, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a large tree in the Kaptagat area along the Eldama Ravine-Eldoret.
Kiptum was on his way back from Eldoret in Uasin Gishu province.
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.
Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum died on Sunday after crashing into a tree
It is said 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
Both Kiptum and Hakizimana died at the scene, with the former ‘under the car with a torn seat belt’
Tuwei said the bodies have been taken to hospital for an autopsy, which will begin after the families have been informed and “all arrangements have been made.”
He added that the accident occurred at 8:00 PM GMT, 11:00 PM local time, on Sunday and that the vehicle was “extensively damaged” and was towed to a local police station for “inspection and further police action.”
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.
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.”
Kiptum also 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.
Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum has died at the age of 24
Kiptum (L) and his coach Gervais Hakizimana (R) were killed in a traffic accident in the Kenyan district of Kaptagat at 11 p.m. local time.
Kiptum made history last October when he clocked 2:00.35 to win the Chicago Marathon
World athletics president Seb Coe paid tribute to Kiptum and Hakizimana on Sunday evening
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.
Kipchonge went to X to express his sadness at the news. One message, captioned with the words ‘Rest in peace Kelvin’, read: ‘I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Marathon world record holder and rising star Kelvin Kiptum.
“An athlete who had his whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness.
“I extend my deepest condolences to his young family. May God comfort you during this difficult time.’
Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013, wrote on X: ‘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 in an accident tonight.
“My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends and the entire athletics fraternity. Our nation mourns the profound loss of a true hero.”
Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba wrote: ‘Devastatingly sickening! Kenya has lost a special pearl. Lost for words.’
Hugh Brasher, event director of the London Marathon, wrote: ‘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.
The 24-year-old would have been the favorite to win gold at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris
‘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.”