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Kelvin Kiptum celebrates winning the 2023 Chicago Marathon Pro Men's Division and setting a marathon world record of 2:00.35 on October 8, 2023 at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois.
nairobi
CNN
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Current marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana were killed in a road accident on the outskirts of the Rift Valley town of Eldoret on Sunday night, Kenyan police said.
The 24-year-old Kenyan athlete and his coach, who were driving the Toyota Premio, died at the scene of the accident, Elgeyo-Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mlinge told CNN.
The third occupant sustained serious injuries but survived, Mulinge added.
“He lost control, veered off the road, went 60 meters into a ditch and hit a large tree,” Mlinge said. The accident occurred around 11pm local time.
Kiptam's marathon world record of 2:00:35, set at the Chicago Marathon last October, was recognized by the World Athletics Federation just a few days ago. He had just switched from sprint races to marathons a year before setting that record pace.
He improved his personal best time by 50 seconds, breaking the record of 2:01:09 set by fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, widely considered the greatest marathoner of all time. Kiptum was widely believed to be Kipchoge's successor and a possible candidate to run the marathon in less than two hours.
Hakizimana, 36, is a former professional athlete from Rwanda who has competed in races ranging from 5,000 meters to half marathons.
John Walton/Associated Press
Kelvin Kiptum celebrates winning the men's elite race at the TCS London Marathon on Sunday, April 23, 2023.
Celebrities from the world of track and field and long-distance running paid their respects and mourned the death of the athlete in his prime.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said Kiptum was “an incredible athlete with an incredible legacy. We will miss him tremendously.”
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” Mr Koh said. “On behalf of World Athletics, I would like to express our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the people of Kenya.”
Mr Coe added: “It wasn't until earlier this week in Chicago, where Kelvin set his incredible marathon world record, that I was able to officially recognize his historic record.”
Kiptum's manager, Bob Verbeek, described him as a “beloved friend.”
“On behalf of my colleagues and friends at Golasso (management group), I would like to express my deepest condolences to their families, friends and everyone involved in athletics,” Verbeek said in a statement.
Following the news of Kiptam's death, condolence messages flooded into Kiptam's official Instagram account.
London Marathon organizers said: message “We are shocked and deeply saddened. The thoughts of everyone who took part in the TCS London Marathon are with the family and friends of Kelvin and Gervais.”
Kipton's loss will be felt in Chicago, said Carrie Pinkowski, executive race director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
“Kelvin was a once-in-a-generation athlete at the forefront of his career,” Pinkowski said. “While he will be celebrated for his record-breaking performance, I will always remember him as a great talent and an even greater person.”
“I was lucky enough to witness his greatness on the streets of Chicago,” he added. “The sport of marathoning has suffered a tragic loss.”
Michael Reeves/Getty Images
Kiptam photographed at the 2023 Chicago Marathon in Grant Park on October 8, 2023.
Kenyan Olympians also expressed their sadness. Two-time Olympic gold medalist David Rudisha, who survived the 2022 plane crash, called Kiptum's death a “huge loss.” “My condolences to his family, friends, sporting fraternity and all of Kenya,” Rudisha wrote about X.
“Today I am shocked to hear of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of Kevin Kiptum and his coach,” said five-time Olympian and middle-distance runner Bernard Lagat. “Gone too soon. Rest in peace champ.”
Robert de Castella, a former world champion marathon runner from Australia, said: It highlights how precious life is and how vulnerable we all are. ”
Kenya's former prime minister was among those who paid their respects. Writing in X, Raila Odinga described the death as “shocking news” and hailed Kiptum as an icon in Kenyan athletics. “Our nation deeply mourns the loss of a true hero.”
Kenyan Sports Minister Above Namwamba also expressed his condolences for X, saying, “Kenya has lost a special gem. I am speechless.”
