The news of Kelvin Kiptum’s death has caused sorrow in the world of athletics.
The 24-year-old Kenyan runner, who set the world record (2:00′:35″) in the Chicago Marathon in 2023, was killed along with his coach, Zerve Hakizimana, in a car accident.
The accident occurred on Sunday night (February 11th) on the Eldoret-Kaptagat road in Kenya, according to Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mulinge.
Hakizimana’s wife, Joan Chelimo, confirmed her husband’s death.
Kenya’s Minister of Sports, Ababu Namwamba, stated on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter:
Devastatingly sickening!! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words.. pic.twitter.com/URgLeeop1t
— Hon Ababu-Namwamba, EGH?? (@AbabuNamwamba) February 11, 2024
Kelvin Kiptum shattered 34 seconds off the previous world record held by two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge from Berlin last year to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours and one minute.
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The announcement of the World Athletics Federation:
World Athletics is deeply saddened to hear that marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum died in a road traffic accident on Sunday at the age of 24.
Obit: ? https://t.co/0CF1NbAzgw pic.twitter.com/TgWepi0cok
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) February 11, 2024
World Athletics had confirmed his World Record just last week.
The entire Abbott World Marathon Majors family is devastated by the news that our men’s series champion and world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana have passed away. All of our thoughts are with their family and friends at this time. pic.twitter.com/S98aedkw1o
— Abbott WMMajors (@WMMajors) February 11, 2024
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