Kelvin Kiptum, Marathon World Record Holder, is dead.
He died aged 24, following a car crash in his native Kenya.
His coach, Rwanda’s Gervais Hakizimana, was also killed in the road accident near Kaptagat.
In October 2023, Kiptum made history when he clocked 2:00.35 to win the Chicago Marathon, smashing his fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge’s world record by 34 seconds.
His landmark time was only officially ratified by World Athletics last Tuesday.
Seb Coe, World Athletics President, led the tributes to the late world record holder, on Sunday night.
Coe described Kiptum as “an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy”.
In a post via X, formally Twitter, he wrote: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
“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, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon world record, that I was able to officially ratify his historic time. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
Gideon Kimaiyo, Kenyan member of parliament, also paid tribute to the duo via the microblogging platform.
“It is with heavy hearts that we learn of the passing of Kelvin Kiptum, the world marathon record holder, and his coach in a tragic accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat road.
“Kelvin Kiptum was at the prime of his career, a legend in his own right. It’s a tough one to take
“Our thoughts are with their families during this incredibly difficult time. The people of Keiyo South are saddened by this loss. May their souls rest in eternal peace,” Kimaiyo wrote.
