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Sport is mourning after Kelvin Kiptum, the men’s marathon world record holder, died in a road accident in Kenya late on Sunday night. Kiptum and his coach Garvais Hakizimana died in a collision in the Kaptagat area.
Kiptum burst onto the marathon scene over the last two years, winning the 2023 London Marathon and then stunning the running world to break compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s world record at the Chicago Marathon in October in 2:00:35. Kiptum was targeting the Rotterdam Marathon in April next, with excitement building at the prospect of an attempt to break the two-hour barrier in an official race for the first time, following Kipchoge’s unofficial run of 1:59:40.2 in Vienna in 2019.
World Athletics president Seb Coe has led the tributes to Kiptum – follow the latest news and reaction to the tragic news below:
Kelvin Kiptum dies, aged 24
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Men’s marathon world record holder dies in road accident in Kenya
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Kiptum’s coach Garvais Hakizimana also passes away after collision in the Kaptagat area
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Seb Coe pays tribute to ‘incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy’
Kelvin Kiptum’s story had barely started – his tragic death robs athletics of an extraordinary talent
11:03 , Jamie Braidwood
“In the hunt to find sporting meaning during the strange supporter absence of the 2020 Covid pandemic summer, the Brussels Diamond League opted to stage a rare assault on the one-hour world record.
“Although 13 men lined up on the King Baudouin Stadium startline, the race was little more than a one-man time trial geared solely around Britain’s four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah. Everyone else was there to aid his cause.
“Among the faceless dozen was an unknown Kenyan. At that point in his career, Kelvin Kiptum’s international pedigree was almost non-existent. A year earlier, he had led for some time at the Rotterdam Marathon, although the word ‘Pace’ located where his name would otherwise have been written on his bib betrayed his lowly status as a bit-part in a bigger picture.
“Just as he had on that day, Kiptum failed to finish the one-hour run in the Belgian capital, managing to stick to Farah’s heel for all of 18 minutes before the pace became too tough and he soon dropped out. No one watching would have gleaned the slightest inkling of what he might become.
“The tragic death of one of athletics’ finest ever talents will ensure the Kiptum story is one that remains forever unfinished; barely even started, in fact.”
Kelvin Kiptum: Tragic death robs athletics of an extraordinary talent
Kelvin Kiptum, marathon world record holder, dies in car accident
11:02 , Lawrence Ostlere
Kiptum, a product of the high altitude region of Kenya which has produced most of the country’s world renowned distance runners, started his international career on the half-marathon circuit in 2019.
He made an explosive entry into the full 42.195km distance by running the then fourth fastest time on record (2.01.53) to win the 2022 Valencia Marathon on debut.
That race revealed his trademark approach to marathons, running with the pack for the first 30kms and then upping the pace and racing off alone for the remainder of the race.
He used the same tactics to win last April’s London Marathon in a course record of 2:01:25 and again in Chicago in October to take 34 seconds off Kipchoge’s world mark.
That was to be his final race before his untimely death, which came only a week after World Athletics had ratified his world record.
Kelvin Kiptum, marathon world record holder, dies in car accident
10:15 , Lawrence Ostlere
Despite the late hour, tributes were paid to Kiptum by senior Kenyan politicians and government officials.
“Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, World Record holder and Kenyan athletics icon,” former Kenya prime minister Raila Odinga said on social media platform X.
“My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity. Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”
Kelvin Kiptum, marathon world record holder, dies in car accident
09:33 , Lawrence Ostlere
According to the police report, Kiptum was driving his Rwandan coach and a woman in a car near the Rift Valley village where he was born when the accident occurred.
The athlete lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road into a ditch, travelling for about 60 metres along it before crashing into a large tree.
Kiptum and Gervais Hakizimana died at the scene but the woman, 24-year-old Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei Keiyo, survived with serious injuries and was treated at a local hospital.
Kelvin Kiptum, marathon world record holder, dies in car accident
08:45 , Lawrence Ostlere
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said in a statement.
“On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, team mates and the Kenyan nation. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
Recap – Kelvin Kiptum, marathon world record holder, dies in car accident
07:55 , Lawrence Ostlere
Kenya’s marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach were killed in a traffic accident in the Rift Valley on Sunday, cutting short the promising career of the only man to have run the endurance classic in less than two hours and one minute.
The 24-year-old set the world record at the Chicago Marathon in October with a time of two hours and 35 seconds to surpass the mark of 2:01:09 run by compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin in 2022.
Kiptum, who clocked three of the seven fastest marathon times in history, had been hoping to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours in race conditions at Rotterdam in April as well as make his Olympic debut in Paris in July.
07:00 , Jack Rathborn
Former Olympian Bernard Lagat has reacted to the passing of Kelvin Kiptum.
Lagat, who has competed for Kenya and the United States over a glittering career and participated in the marathon, took to social media to reveal his shock.
Please- someone tell me this isn’t true 😔
I’m shocked to hear of the tragic accident that took the lives of Kevin Kiptum (WR Holder- Marathon) and his Coach today. Gone too soon.
RIP Champion 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/NxPcNtWLkF— Bernard Lagat OLY (@Lagat1500) February 12, 2024
Kelvin Kiptum death – latest tributes and reaction
06:00 , Jack Rathborn
Kiptum was a strong favourite to win gold at this summer at the Paris Olympics.
While fans were excited for a first head-to-head showdown with compatriot Eliud Kipchoge.
The tragic news now cuts short a blossoming career with immense potential given his three performance over the iconic distance and his ability and discipline to negative split already at such a young age.
Kelvin Kiptum death – latest tributes and reaction
05:00 , Jack Rathborn
Kelvin Kiptum was one of World Athletics’ men’s athlete of the year last year.
Posing alongside fellow winners Noah Lyles and Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis, as World Athletics split the award, Kiptum was recognised outside the distance running world.
Kelvin Kiptum death – latest tributes and reaction
04:00 , Jack Rathborn
Kelvin Kiptum’s professional career started back in 2018 at the Eldoret Half Marathon, running an impressive 1:02:01 at altitude. He would follow that up with a DNF in the Stockholm in May 2019, then a 28:17 in Utrecht in 2019 down in the 10k.
There would be another DNF in Brussels in 2020 at a one-hour race, with two half marathons in 2020: a 1:00:57 in Marugame and then 59:59 in Den Haag.
Kiptum’s career at the shorter distances would finish in 2021, including a 28:27.87 in the 10k in Stockholm and two half marathons; one in Lens (59:35) and then Valencia half marathon in 59:02.
Kelvin Kiptum death – latest tributes and reaction
03:00 , Jack Rathborn
Kelvin Kiptum marathon results
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Maraton Valencia Trinidad Alfonso EDP 2022: 2:01:53
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TCS London Marathon 2023: 2:01:25
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Bank of America Chicago Marathon: 2:00:35
Kelvin Kiptum death – Chicago Marathon pays tribute to Kenyan
02:45 , Jack Rathborn
“We are shocked and saddened by the news of the recent death of Kelvin Kiptum. Kelvin was a once in a generation athlete at the front of his career and there is no doubt in my mind that his greatest achievements were ahead of him. We were lucky to witness his greatness on the streets of Chicago.
“While he will be celebrated for his record-breaking performances, I will remember him as an incredible talent and as an even more magnificent person. The sport of marathon running has suffered a tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” – Carey Pinkowski, Executive Race Director, Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
“Kelvin Kiptum was the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon champion and world record holder (2:00:35).”
Kelvin Kiptum death – latest tributes and reaction
02:30 , Jack Rathborn
Kenya’s minister for sports, Ababu Namwamba, announced on X: “Devastatingly sickening! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words.”
Kelvin Kiptum death – latest tributes and reaction
02:15 , Jack Rathborn
Kelvin Kiptum death – latest tributes and reaction
02:00 , Jack Rathborn
Former Kenya Prime Minister: “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 on in an accident tonight.
“My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity. Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”
Kelvin Kiptum death – USA sprinter Kenny Bednarek pays tribute to Kenyan
01:45 , Jack Rathborn
Heartbreaking news about Kelvin Kiptum and his coach. RIP 🕊️
— Kung Fu Kenny (@kenny_bednarek) February 11, 2024
Kelvin Kiptum death – latest tributes and reaction
01:30 , Jack Rathborn
Kelvin Kiptum death – latest tributes and reaction
01:15 , Jack Rathborn
A statement from Kenyan Athletics: “Athletics Kenya is deeply saddened to announce the passing on of the World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his Rwandese coach Garvais Hakizimana.”
Kelvin Kiptum death – legendary Kenyan runner David Rudisha reacts
01:00 , Jack Rathborn
Rudisha said: “I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana.
“My condolences to the families, friends, athletic fraternity and Kenya at large. This is a huge loss.”
Kevin Kiptum death – latest tributes and reaction
00:50 , Jack Rathborn
A statement from the London Marathon has paid tribute to their 2023 men’s champion.
A statement read: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear the terrible news of the death of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
“The thoughts of everyone at the TCS London Marathon are with Kelvin’s and Gervais’ family and friends.”
Kelvin Kiptum death – latest tributes and reaction
00:40 , Jack Rathborn
Abbott World Marathon Majors, who organise the London Marathon and iconic races over 26.2 miles in Berlin, Boston, New York, Tokyo and Chicago, has paid tribute to Kiptum.
A statement read: “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.”
Kelvin Kiptum death – updates
00:10 , Jack Rathborn
Kelvin Kiptum was due to next race on 14 April in Rotterdam, which was expected to be the first genuine attempt to break the two-hour barrier in an official race.
Kiptum announced a brand deal with smart watch brand Amazfit earlier this month. Kiptum did not travel to an event for the brand at the announcement in Paris.
Seb Coe pays tribute to ‘incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy’
Sunday 11 February 2024 23:45 , Jack Rathborn
World Athletics president Seb Coe paid tribute to Kiptum: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
“On behalf of all 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 extraordinary marathon World Record, that I was able to officially ratify his historic time. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
Kelvin Kiptum, marathon world record holder, dies in road accident
Sunday 11 February 2024 23:43 , Jack Rathborn
Kelvin Kiptum, the men’s marathon world record holder, has died aged 24 in a road accident in Kenya.
Kiptum and his Rwandese coach Garvais Hakizimana died in the collision, confirmed Abbott World Marathon Majors and Elgeyo Marakwet police.
The incident occured in the Kaptagat area on Sunday evening along Elgeyo Marakwet road.
Kiptum won the London Marathon last year and would go on to break compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s world record at the Chicago Marathon in October in 2:00:35.
Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum dies in road accident
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