Current Marathon World Record Holder Kelvin Kiptum has died following a tragic road accident in the Kaptagat area along the Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine road.
Kiptum died alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana while a third occupant sustained critical injuries.
Preliminary reports indicate that the athlete was driving the car before the accident. The 24-year-old athlete lost control and veered off the road before crashing into a tree.
“The accident happened around 11 pm. The car had three occupants, two died on the spot while one was taken to hospital,” Elgeyo Marakwet County Commandant Peter Mulinge said.
“He lost control, veered off the road, entered into a ditch 60 meters away and hit a big tree,” Mulinge added.
World Athletics ratified Kiptum’s world record marathon time of 2:00:35 set in the Chicago Marathon in October last year just days ago. He had only switched to running the marathon from shorter distance races a year before setting that record pace.
He improved his best time by 50 seconds to beat the 2:01:09 record set by fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, widely considered the greatest marathoner of all time. Kiptum was widely believed to be the successor to Kipchoge, and a possible contender to run the marathon in under 2 hours.
Following his death, President William Ruto eulogised him as an astute sportsman who was on the success path.
“Kelvin Kiptum was a star. Arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record.
He was only 24 yet, as a hero, triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and in other top competitions. His mental strength and discipline were unmatched. Kiptum was our future.
An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark in the globe. Our thoughts are with the family and the sporting fraternity. Rest In Peace,” Ruto wrote.
Other leaders and Kenyans also shared their condolence notes following his death.
