dAccording to the media, world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum has died, Sunday afternoon at the age of 24. car crash in his country of origin, relatives and the police confirmed, according to Kenyan media. The AP news agency also reported the death, citing an athlete friend.
Kiptum was at the wheel of the car that arrived in Kaptaget, in the southwestern highlands, at around 11:00 p.m. local time. Kenya went off the highway, a region where many Kenyan long-distance runners train.
Coach Garvais Hakizimana also died
Also traveling in the vehicle were Kiptum's coach, Garvais Hakizimana, from Rwanda, and a companion. 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, left the road and crashed into a tree before ending up in a ditch 60 meters away, the Daily Nation newspaper quoted police representative Peter Mulinge as saying.
President of the World Athletics Federation Sebastian Coe He said he was “shocked and deeply saddened.” “An incredible athlete leaves an incredible legacy, we will miss him very much,” the British man (67), former X, wrote on Twitter.
Kiptum won the Chicago Marathon four months ago with a world record time of 2:00:35 hours. She 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 barely completed her third marathon. According to the world association, she started running at 13 years old.
In Valencia in December 2022, Kiptum ran an unofficial debut world record of 2:01:53 hours, then 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 it on October 8 in Chicago.