Marathon World Record-holder Kelvin Kiptum Died In A Car Crash

Late Kelvin Kiptum

Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach died in a car crash in Kenya late Sunday.

Kenya's 24-year-old Kelvin Kiptum, the current world record holder in the men's marathon, was killed in a car accident in his nation.

On Sunday, February 11, 2024, he and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana of Rwanda, were killed in an automobile accident on a road in western Kenya.

As a competitor against fellow countryman and world record runner Eliud Kipchoge in 2023, Kiptum achieved notable success.

In October of last year, Kiptum beat Kipchoge's record by finishing the 26.2 miles (42 km) in two hours and 35 seconds in Chicago.

Kenya's provisional marathon squad for the Olympics in Paris later this year included the two athletes.

Kipchoge expressed his condolences to the man's family on X, saying that the man who shattered his record was a rising star with “a whole life” ahead of him to achieve “incredible greatness.”

Kenya's President William Ruto also paid tribute, calling Kiptum “an extraordinary athlete who left his mark on the world.”

On Sunday, the traffic accident occurred at approximately 20:00 GMT (23:00 local time).

Police provided information about the collision, stating that Kiptum “lost control [of the vehicle] and veered off-road entering into a ditch on his left side” while operating a motor vehicle.

According to a police statement, he drove in the ditch for roughly 60 meters before hitting a large tree.

The collision site claimed the lives of Kiptum and Hakizimana. A third individual—a young lady—was gravely hurt and was admitted to the hospital for medical attention.

Kiptum's team just revealed last week that he would try to run the marathon in under two hours in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in April. This is a record that has never been attained in a public competition.

The father of two had risen to fame quickly; he didn't participate in a full marathon until 2022.

He immediately made an impression by winning the Valencia Marathon in the then-fourth fastest time ever recorded (2:01:53), and then in April 2023 he set a course record with a time of 2:01:25 at the London Marathon.

After a mere six months, Kiptum set a world record in Chicago in his final marathon, shaving 34 seconds off the previous record.