Kelvin Kiptum is dead. © AFP / Marco LONGARI

Marathon world record holder dies at 24

Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum is dead, according to consistent media reports. The Kenyan died at the age of 24 late on Sunday evening in a car accident in his home country, family members and police confirmed, according to Kenyan media.

12. February 2024

From: dpa

Also the news agency AP reported the death, citing an athlete friend. Kiptum was behind the wheel of the car that left the road around 23.00 p.m. local time in Kaptaget in Kenya's southwestern highlands - a region where many Kenyan long-distance runners train.

Kiptum's trainer Garvais Hakizimana, who comes from Rwanda, and a companion were also in the vehicle. Hakizimana also died in the accident, and the woman was seriously injured, according to police. There were no other vehicles involved. According to initial investigations, Kiptum lost control of the vehicle, veered off the road and collided with a tree before the car ended up in a ditch 60 meters away, the newspaper quoted Daily Nation the responsible police representative Peter Mulinge.

Great sadness

World Athletics Federation President Sebastian Coe said he was “shocked and deeply sad.” “An incredible athlete leaves an incredible legacy, we will miss him very much,” wrote the Brit (67) on social media.

In Chicago, Kiptum set a new record. © AFP / KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI

Kiptum won the Chicago Marathon a good four months ago in a world record time of 2:00:35 hours. He improved Eliud Kipchoge's previous record by 34 seconds and became the first person to run an official marathon under 2:01:00 hours. Kiptum had only completed his third marathon. According to the world association, he started running at the age of 13.

In Valencia in December 2022, Kiptum achieved an unofficial debut world record of 2:01:53 hours, then he sensationally won the London Marathon in 2:01:25 hours. The miracle runner immediately announced that he wanted to challenge the world record. He achieved this on October 8th in Chicago.