- World marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum has reportedly died at the age of 24
- According to reports, Kiptum and his coach died in a traffic accident
World marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum has died at the age of 24, Kenya’s former prime minister said on Sunday evening.
The distance running sensation and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana of Rwanda, reportedly died in a road accident in Kenya’s Kaptagat district at 11pm local time.
Kiptum made history last October when he clocked 2:00.35 to win the Chicago Marathon, breaking compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s world record by 34 seconds.
He 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. That followed his striking victory 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.
Raila Odinga, Kenya’s prime minister from 2008 to 2013, wrote on X on Sunday evening: ‘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.”