Monday, February 12, 2024 - World marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum is dead.
Kiptum died early on Monday morning in a tragic road accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat Road.
Aged 24, the star athlete passed on two months before he attempted to become the first human to run a marathon in under 2 hours.
Police reports indicate that Kiptum was driving when he lost control, veering off the road, and landing into a ditch.
Kiptum died alongside his Rwandese Coach Gervais Hakizimana while another passenger survived the accident and was rushed to hospital.
Kiptum won last year’s Chicago Marathon by clocking 2:00:35 and shattering Eliud Kipchoge's world record in the process.
He was determined to shed 36 seconds in the Rotterdam Marathon which will be held in April 2024, and become the first human to race under two hours in a competitive race.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, breaking the news, revealed his devastation.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” Coe stated.
“On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates, and the Kenyan nation."
The young star was also mourned by Kenyans who remarked that the nation had lost a hero.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba remarked that he was finding it difficult to accept that Kiptum had passed on.
"Devastatingly sickening! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words," he eulogized.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga sending his condolences to Kiptum's family and the entire athletics family, stated that the world had lost an icon.
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