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Kenyan runners have responded with shock to the news that world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum died on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Kenyan was murdered in a single-car accident with his Rwandan coach. Another female passenger was brought to the hospital.
Kiptum’s world record from last year’s Chicago Marathon was confirmed by the international track association World Athletics only last week.
He was one of the most promising road running prospects in years, and he was a strong candidate for gold in the marathon at the Paris Olympics in August.
Kiptum and his instructor, Gervais Hakizimana, were killed in the crash at 11 p.m.
Fellow athlete Geoffery Kamworor claimed he couldn’t believe the news and is still shocked.
Milcah Chemos, a Kenyan athlete, verified their deaths to the Associated Press. She was at the hospital mortuary where the victims were transported and saw Kiptum’s body, she claimed.
She struggled to speak while breaking down in tears.
“I have no words to explain the loss of Kelvin,” she said.
It is deeply disheartening to learn of the untimely passing on of World Marathon Record Holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana in a tragic road accident last night on Kaptagat-Eldoret Road.
Young Kiptum- an astounding star- flew the Kenyan flag extremely high,… pic.twitter.com/ZJvhVpAEhA
— H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH (@rigathi) February 12, 2024
The crash occurred on a route between the towns of Eldoret and Kaptagat in western Kenya, according to Chemos, in the heart of the high-altitude region known as a training ground for elite distance runners from Kenya and throughout the world.
Kiptum was born and nurtured in this neighborhood.
Chemos stated that she went to the hospital with other athletes and members of Kiptum’s family after learning the news.
The family members, including Kiptum’s father, were present to identify his remains.
