Marathon World Record Holder Kelvin Kiptum Dies In A Car Crash
Kelvin Kiptum, who recently achieved the feat of being the fastest marathon runner in the world, has passed away.
The 24-year-old marathon world record holder died in a car accident on Sunday, February 11, 2024, in Kenya, alongside his coach Gervias Hakizimana. The incident occurred on the Eldoret-Kaptagat road in Western Kenya, according to the international track federation World Athletics.
Former President of Kenya, Raila Odinga, confirmed the news, describing Kiptum as a “Kenyan athletics icon.”
“Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, World Record holder, and Kenyan athletics icon. Together with his coach, they tragically passed away in an accident tonight,” he said.
He added, “My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity. Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”
Born on December 2, 1999, in the small Kenyan village of Chepkorio, Kiptum herded his family’s cattle and began following other runners barefoot along forest trails. He stunned the world 10 years later, in October 2023, when he covered a distance of 42.195 km within two hours – a new record in a sport where the average men’s marathon time is estimated at 4:21:03.
Described by some analysts as fearless, Kiptum’s fascinating record was achieved less than a year after he started participating in marathons, having won three out of the three marathons he has ever taken part in.
As the titleholder for the fastest marathon runner in the world, Kiptum was the sole individual in history to cover the distance of 42.195 km in under two hours and one minute in a race eligible for setting records.
Although from a hometown that has produced some great Kenyan marathon runners, like Geoffrey Kamworor, Kiptum, a self-taught athlete, was among a new crop of athletes who began their careers in long-distance running without first competing on the track in shorter-distance races.
