Marathon World record holder Kelvin Kiptum has been confirmed dead after he was involved in a road accident outside Eldoret,sources confirm.
According to reports, Kelvin Kiptum was driving together with his 36 year old Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana died on the spot while a third occupant survived with serious injuries.
Kelvin Kiptum who hit the headlines when he made his marathon debut in December 2022, clocking 2:01:53 to win in Valencia. Less than a year later, in just his third marathon, he smashed Eliud Kipchoge’s world record with 2:00:35 to win in Chicago.
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Until his demise, Kelvin Kiptum was named the 2023 World Athlete of the Year for men’s out-of-stadia events for his exemplary performance including the breaking of the world record.
The 24 year old was Born and raised in Chepsamo village in Chepkorio, 30km from Eldoret in the Rift Valley. Kiptum worked on his family’s cattle farm in his youth. He started running at about the age of 13 and would follow local marathon runners on the local trails and roads.
Police Officers confirming the incident said that Kiotum was the driver of the vehicle before the vehicle “lost control and rolled, killing the two on the spot” leaving the third person with serious injuries
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World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has paid his tribute to the young rising star saying that Kiptum was “an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly”.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
On behalf of all World Athletics we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation. It was only 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 leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”