The world record-holding marathoner Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana perished in a car crash in Eldoret, Kenya, which is located in the Rift Valley.
Kenyan police confirmed that the athlete, 24, who was driving a Toyota Premio, and his coach perished at the scene of the collision.
The 24-year-old beat compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s 2022 Berlin record of 2:01:09 by setting a world record in October at the Chicago Marathon in a time of two hours and 35 seconds.
Born and raised in Kenya’s highlands, which have yielded many of the nation’s most well-known distance runners, Kiptum began his international career in the half-marathon circuit in 2019.
He won the 2022 Valencia Marathon on his debut, setting a record-breaking fourth fastest time of 2.01.53, making an explosive entry into the entire 42.195km distance.
His signature strategy for marathons was made evident in that race: he would run with the pack for the first thirty kilometres before picking up the pace and finishing the race by himself.
Using the same strategy, he won the London Marathon in April of last year in a course record of 2:01:25, and in October, he won it again in Chicago, shaving 34 seconds off Kipchoge’s world record.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe released a statement saying, “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.”
“We extend our sincere condolences to their families, friends, teammates, and the people of Kenya on behalf of all of World Athletics.
“I was only able to formally ratify Kelvin’s historic time earlier this week in Chicago, where he set his extraordinary world record for the marathon.”
Bob Verbeeck, Kiptum’s manager, called the athlete a “beloved friend.”
In a statement, Verbeeck said, “On behalf of all our colleagues and his friends at Golazo (Management Group), we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and everyone in the athletics family.”
My sincere sympathies go out to his family, friends, and the whole athletics fraternity. Our country is in deep mourning over the passing of a real hero.
“Kenya has lost a special gem,” declared Ababu Namwamba, Kenya’s minister of sports. Speechless.
The 800-meter world record holder and Olympic champion David Rudisha expressed his shock and sadness at the news of Kelvin Kiptum’s and his coach Gervais Hakizimana’s deaths. My sympathies go out to the bereaved families, friends, the sports community, and Kenya in general. This loss is enormous.
Retired world champion marathon runner Robert de Castella exclaimed, “Shocking tragedy! A rising star disappears in an instant. draws attention to how fleeting life is and how susceptible we are all.
