Kelvin Kiptum, the Kenyan runner who broke the marathon world record last year, was killed in a car crash on Sunday night, along with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
The accident occurred on a road between Eldoret and Kaptagat, in the high-altitude region where many elite distance runners train. According to former athlete Viola Chemos, who was at the scene, Kiptum’s family members were among those who went to the hospital in Eldoret to identify his body.
Another woman, who was also in the car, was seriously injured and taken to the same hospital, local media reported.
Kiptum made history in October when he ran the Chicago Marathon in 2:00.35, becoming the first person to complete the 26.2-mile race in under 2 hours and 1 minute. He shattered the previous record, 2:01.39, set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in 2018.
World Athletics officially confirmed Kiptum’slast last last last week’s record, the global governing body for track and field.
Kiptum was a late bloomer in the marathon scene, having debuted in 2022 at the Valencia Marathon, where he clocked the fastest time ever for a first-timer. He followed that up with victories in London and Chicago, two of the most prestigious marathons in the world.
Sebastian Coe, World Athletics president, expressed his shock and sadness over Kiptum’s death in a statement on X, the social media platform formerly Twitter.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” Coe wrote. “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, where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon World Record, that I was able to ratify his historic time officially. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly,” Coe wrote.
