Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, 24, and his coach Gervais Hakizimana died in a car crash in western Kenya that injured a third passenger, police said Sunday.
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Kelvin Kiptum finishes first at the Chicago Marathon in two hours and 35 seconds, October 8, 2023. Photo AFP |
“The accident occurred around 11:00 p.m. (8:00 p.m. GMT). The car had three occupants, two died instantly, while one was taken to hospital. They were Kiptum and his coach ” said Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mulinge. in western Kenya.
He said the car was heading to Eldoret, a town in western Kenya, when the accident occurred.
Kiptum set a world record of 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon in October, coming 34 seconds shy of fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record.
Kiptum’s record was ratified last week by the international athletics federation World Athletics.
Kenyan Athletics Federation president Jackson Tuwei said he sent a team of officials to the scene after learning of the accident late at night.
Kiptum enjoyed immediate success, setting the fastest time ever by a beginner at the 2022 Valencia Marathon. He won last year’s races in London and Chicago, two of the most prestigious marathons in the world.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe was one of the first to offer his condolences in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” Coe wrote. “On behalf of World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the nation of Kenya.”
“It was only earlier this week in Chicago, 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, he will be greatly missed ” Coe wrote.
