24-year-old marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum died in a road accident in Kenya, Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba said on Sunday evening. announced on X. The Kenyan improved the world record of his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in Chicago last October with 2:00:35.
Kiptum only ran three marathons in his short career and won all three. He would participate in the Rotterdam marathon in early April and attempt to attack his own world record. “When I am at the start in Rotterdam, I want to be the best version of myself,” Kiptum wrote about this last month on Instagram. Ultimately, he wanted to be the first athlete to run under two hours.
Coach also died
The accident took place near the town of Eldoret in western Kenya. His coach Gervais Hakizimana from Rwanda also died. Kiptum was behind the wheel of the car, which left the road for an unknown reason and then came to a stop against a tree.
Kenya and the entire athletics world reacted with shock to Kiptum’s death. “Kenya has lost a jewel,” writes Minister Namwamba on X. “No words.” World Athletics chairman Sebastian Coe also says he is shocked and sad and calls the marathon runner in a statement “an incredible athlete who leaves an incredible legacy.”