Current marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana died in a road mishap in Eldoret city of Kenya on Sunday, media reports said.
The 24-year-old Kenyan athlete, who was driving a Toyota Premio, and his coach died at the scene of the crash, Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mulinge told CNN.
A third occupant survived with serious injuries, Mulinge told the American news channel.
“He lost control, veered off the road, entered into a ditch 60 meters away and hit a big tree,” Mulinge said.
Kiptum ran three of the seven fastest marathons in history.
In October last year, he set the world record marathon time of 2:00:35 in the Chicago Marathon.
Reactions
Following his death, Kenyan President William Ruto paid tribute to him and described him as an ‘extraordinary sportsman’.
“Kelvin Kiptum was a star. Arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record,” the President posted on X.
“He was only 24 yet, as a hero, triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and in other top competitions. His mental strength and discipline were unmatched. Kiptum was our future,” he said. “An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark in the globe. Our thoughts are with the family and the sporting fraternity. Rest In Peace,” the Kenyan President posted on X.
Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba posted on X: “Only last October we feted and honoured #KelvinKiptum after he shattered the marathon world record. We were excitedly looking forward to his target of becoming the first human to do sub 2 hrs, and for his Olympics bow in Paris next summer. Indeed Kelvin was only getting started, and was destined to rule the world of elite marathon running for long. The cruel hand of death has robbed Kenya and the world a truly precious sporting gem. My deepest condolences to the family of Kelvin and the entire athletics & sporting fraternity. Rest well champion.”
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “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,” he said.
Double Olympic gold medalist David Rudisha described the death of Kelvin Kiptum as ‘huge loss’.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana. My condolences to the families, friends,athletic fraternity and Kenya at large. This is a huge loss,” he posted on X.
