Kenyan marathon record holder Kiptum died in a car accident
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24-year-old Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum, who set the world marathon record in 2023, died in a car accident on Sunday, February 11. Together with Kiptum, who was driving, his coach Gervais Hakizimana died, writes “The Guardian” with reference to the local police.
The Minister of Sports of Kenya, Ababu Namwamba, wrote on X social networks that the country “lost a special pearl”.
The organizers of the London and Boston marathons also expressed their condolences in connection with the death of Kiptum. The president of the International Association of Athletics Federations, Sebastian Koe, said about the deceased: “An incredible athlete who left an incredible legacy, we will miss him very much.”
Kiptum’s world record was approved by the association last week.
On October 8, 2023, Kelvin Kiptum set a new world record, running the marathon distance in Chicago in 2 hours and 35 seconds – he became the first person in history to do it faster during a competition than in 2 hours and 1 minute. The previous world record was set in September 2022 at the Berlin Marathon. Then two-time Olympic champion, Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge ran in 2 hours 1 minute 9 seconds.
Kiptum was supposed to take part in the marathon in Rotterdam on April 14. In addition, he was included in the Kenyan national team for the Olympic Games in Paris in the summer of 2024.
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