LONDON marathon winner and world record holder Kelvin Kiptum died at only 24 years old.
The Kenyan long-distance runner died along with his coach Garvais Hakiziman in a car accident.
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Kelvin Kiptum crosses the finish line to win the Elite Men’s Marathon during the TCS 2023 London Marathon in April 2023 Credit: Getty
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Kiptum with his coach Hakiziman, who also died in the crash
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The aftermath of Kiptum’s horrific accidentCredit: Reuters
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The damaged car was towed from the road after the nasty accident killed Kiptum and his coachCredit: Reuters
Kiptum won the London Marathon in April last year and broke the course record, crossing the line in two hours, one minute and 25 seconds.
Just a few months later, he broke the world record in the Chicago Marathon, completing the 26-mile race in just two hours and 35 seconds.
The international athletics federation World Athletics confirmed his records only last week.
Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga confirmed Kiptum’s death on X, writing: “Devastating news as we mourn the loss of an extraordinary person, Kelvin Kiptum, world record holder and icon of Kenyan athletics.
“Together with their coach, they tragically died in an accident tonight.”
“My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends and the entire athletic fraternity.
How Kelvin Kiptum went from borrowing shoes to winning the London Marathon
Kelvin Kiptum was famous for being the only person in history to run a marathon under two hours and one minute.
But the Kenyan, 24, had to rise from the depths of poverty before his extraordinary success.
When he lined up for his first major local competition in 2018, Kiptum did so wearing borrowed sneakers because he couldn’t afford a pair of his own.
Kiptum began his career on the road, breaking away from the past tradition of athletes starting out on the track before switching to longer distances.
But it was not by choice.
Kiptum claims that he made the decision solely due to a lack of funds.
“I didn’t have the money to travel to the track,” he explained to BBC Sport Africa.
“My training place is far from the track, so I started training with guys who run on the road – and that’s how I got into the marathon.”
“Our nation mourns the profound loss of a true hero.”
The accident happened on a road in western Kenya – a high area usually used as a training base for long-distance athletes.
Kiptum described his astonishing rise to success in an interview with the BBC last year.
He ran his first big local competition in borrowed shoes, because he couldn’t afford a pair himself.
Kiptum said: “It’s been a long journey for me throughout my career.
“I worked so hard to achieve my dream of setting a world record.
“It came true and I’m really happy. My life has changed now.”
His coach Hakizimana – who also died in the crash – said he had known Kiptum since he was a boy in the same interview.
He said: “I knew him when he was a small boy, barefoot herding cattle.
“It was in 2009, I was training near his father’s farm, he would come after me and I would chase him away.
“Now I am grateful to him for his achievement.”
Organizers of the London Marathon said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear the terrible news of the deaths of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana.
“The thoughts of everyone at the TCS London Marathon are with the family and friends of Kelvin and Gervais.”
World Athletics president Seb Coe said: “On behalf of the whole of World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.
“It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his outstanding marathon world record, that I was able to officially confirm his historic time.
“An incredible athlete who has left an incredible legacy, he will be sorely missed.”
Local reports said a second passenger, a woman identified as Sharon Kosgey, was in the car at the time of the crash.
She survived the impact, but with serious injuries, and was rushed to Racecourse Hospital for medical treatment.
The bodies of Kiptum and Hakiziman were transferred to the hospital morgue.
Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Petr Mulinge confirmed that the accident happened at around 11pm (8pm GMT) on Sunday.
According to Mulinge, Kiptum lost control of the vehicle, veered off the road and landed in a ditch about 60 meters away before colliding with a tree.
He added that Kiptum and Hakizimana “died on the spot”.
Kiptum is currently training to run just under two hours at the Rotterdam Marathon on April 14.
He was also selected by Kenya for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
Why did it take Kiptum 23 YEARS to agree to run a marathon
Kiptum may have been a world record holder and champion, but it took a lot of convincing to even run.
According to his coach Garvais Hakizimana – who died with him this week – Kiptum took time to warm to the idea of running a marathon.
At first, the Kenyan was afraid that it might be too difficult.
“He had some fear and preferred the shorter half marathon until 2022 when he finally agreed to the marathon,” Hakizimana told BBC Sport Africa.
Fast forward a few years and Kiptum would triumph over 42km in Valencia, London and Chicago.
But there were other complications that stood in the way of Kiptum fulfilling its potential.
Kiptum had to convince his family that he could succeed in athletics.
His father was adamant that he should go to college instead.
“He wanted me to study to get an electrical degree, but I said I had to be an athlete – I had that passion,” Kiptum recalled.
“That period was very difficult for me because I trained for four years, but there was no success and they were disappointed in me. But I continued to push.”
Eventually his father returned, even occasionally helping him make it to morning practice on time.
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A Kenyan has been selected to represent his country ahead of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics Credit: X/@RailaOdinga
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The Kenyan international poses with Sifan Hassan, winner of the Elite Women’s race, with last year’s Chris Brasher Memorial TrophyCredit: PA
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Kiptum poses as he celebrates winning the elite men’s race in just two hours and 35 secondsCredit: Reuters
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