Marathon Runner Kelvin Kiptum Dies In Car Accident

As reported by the Associated Press on February 11, a beloved Kenyan athlete has been struck down. Marathon runner and budding Olympic star, Kelvin Kiptum, dies in a car accident. Also in the car with Kiptum was his coach Gervais Hakizimana and an unidentified 24 year old woman. Kiptum was driving the car when it veered from the road into a ditch and hit a tree. Both Kiptum and his coach died on the scene, while the woman was taken to a hospital with severe injuries. The accident occurred in Kaptagat in western Kenya. The high-altitude region is well known as a training base for the best distance runners from Kenya and around the world.

Kiptum, only 24 years old, was a gifted athlete whose star was quickly rising in the world of marathon running. He broke the world record in marathon running at the Chicago marathon last year. It was just his third appearance in an elite marathon event. The record was ratified last week by the international track federation World Athletics. He set the record at 2:00.35 beating the former record of fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge. Kipchoge is currently the reigning two-time Olympic champion. The two were expected to compete head-to-head in the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris.

His death has been devastating for the people of Kenya. The President of Kenya expressed his grief: “He was only 24,” Kenyan President William Ruto said in a statement offering his condolences. “Kiptum was our future.”

Marathon Runner Kelvin Kiptum Dies In Car Crash

In a similar vein, President Sebastian Coe of World Athletics took to X to offer his condolences:

“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.”

Sadly, there have been too many Kenyan athletes dying in car accidents. David Lelei, Francis Kiplagat, and Nicholas Bett all died in car crashes. We hope this terrible trend will not continue. Sincere condolences to the families and friends of Kiptum and Hakizimana.

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