Kenya Government, World Athletics Mourn Death Of Distant Runner, Kiptum

Tributes continued to pour in their numbers on Monday as Kenya and the World Athletics mourn the death of men’s marathon world record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, who died on Sunday in a fatal accident.

The Kenyan distance runner, 24, was killed in his homeland with his coach, Rwanda’s Gervais Hakizimana in the western region of the country according to multiple reports.

Kiptum’s breakthrough came in 2023 as he rivaled fellow countryman, Eliud Kipchoge, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners.

In October 2023, Kiptum bettered Kipchoge’s achievement, clocking the 26.1 miles (42km) in two hours and 35 seconds.

The two athletes had been named in Kenya’s provisional marathon team for the Paris Olympics to begin on July 26 and run until August 11.

Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba wrote on X: “Devastatingly sickening!! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words.”

Kenya’s opposition leader and former prime minister, Raila Odinga, said the country had lost “a true hero” and was mourning “a remarkable individual… and Kenyan athletics icon”.

Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, said Kiptum was “an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly”.

The road accident happened at about 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Sunday, police were quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

The police said Kiptum was the driver, and the vehicle “lost control and rolled, killing the two on the spot”.

A spokesman quoted by AFP added that the third passenger – who was female – had been injured and “rushed to hospital.”