Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum dies in road accident aged 24

Men’s Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum has died in a tragic road accident in his home country of Kenya on Sunday (11 February).

The 24-year-old was killed alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana on the Eldoret-Kaptagat road, according to Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mulinge.

"This was a self-involved accident where one Kelvin Kiptum, the world marathon record holder, was driving his vehicle with two passengers," the County Commander told the Nation Newspaper, adding that Kiptum lost control of the car, and veered off the road.

"Kiptum and Hakizimana died on the spot and the third person was rushed to Racecourse Hospital in Eldoret."

Hakizimana's wife, Joan Chelimo, confirmed the death of her husband to Olympics.com.

IOC President Thomas Bach was among those who led tributes to Kiptum and his coach Hakizimana. 

"It is with extreme sadness that I learnt of the tragic passing of world marathon record-holder Kelvin Kiptum from Kenya in a car accident," Bach said. "We had been looking forward to welcoming him into the Olympic community at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and seeing what the fastest marathon runner in the world could achieve. Our thoughts are with his family and friends as well as with those of his coach, Gervais Hazimana, who also died in the accident."

Kiptum broke the men’s marathon record in Chicago on 8 October 2023, with a time of two hours and 35 seconds. He was scheduled to run at the Rotterdam Marathon on 14 April.

The Kenyan slashed 34 seconds off two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge’s previous world record from Berlin in 2022 to become the first man to run the marathon under two hours and one minute.

World Athletics ratified his world record just last week.

Kiptum is survived by his wife Asenath Rotich and their two children.

Kenneth Kimaiyo, one of the first witnesses at the scene of the accident, told the Nation that he found Kiptum’s body under his vehicle while his coach was lying on the hill, still breathing.

“We tried to save the coach, but he died immediately. Kiptum was lying under the car with his seat belt ripped and he was already dead."

The world of sport mourns fallen world record holder

The sporting world has reacted with sadness to the death of Kiptum, with colleagues and sports leaders expressing their shock at the devastating loss of the young marathoner.

Two-time Olympic marathon champion Kipchoge mourned the runner who shattered his world record.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of the marathon world record holder and rising star Kelvin Kiptum. An athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness.”

Another former world record holder, Paul Tergat, who is president of the Kenyan Olympic committee, spoke about the "tragic" passing of Kiptum, who began running when he was only 13 by following athletes training close to his home in the village of Chepsamo in Chepkorio.

“Tragic and devastating news to wake up to that our icon and world marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum is no more.”

Faith Kipyegon, who was named Athlete of the Year at the 2023 World Athletics Awards, posted a photograph of herself alongside Kiptum, accompanied by the words: “Condolences to the family and friends of Kelvin Kiptum. You will be missed by all in the athletics community. Rest in Peace.”

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, who presented Kiptum with the 2023 World Athlete of the Year for men's out of stadia award last December in Monaco, paid a glowing tribute to the "incredible athlete".

“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,” said Coe

“An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”

Kenyan President William Ruto joined the athletics world in grieving the passing of the young athlete.

“Kelvin Kiptum was a star. Arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record.

"An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark in the globe," he said in a statement.

Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan, who won the women’s race at the 2023 Chicago Marathon where Kiptum broke the men’s world record, posted: “I am deeply saddened and heartbroken by the news Kelvin Kiptum and his coach died yesterday. My condolences go out to his family, friends and fans.”

Kiptum's management team at Golazo, led by CEO Bob Verbeek, were left distraught by the athlete's sudden death.

“We are beyond belief. Only a few days ago, we heard that training was going well, and the families were all OK. Kelvin had just finished a very strong 40km session,” Golazo shared in an Instagram post.

Kiptum is the second Kenyan marathoner to die at the peak of his career

After winning in Valencia in December 2022 and topping the 2023 London Marathon, Kiptum produced his record-breaking run in only his third marathon. Athletics Kenya named him in their provisional team of 10 men for the Paris Olympics, in a list that also included Kipchoge.

The Olympic marathon was supposed to be the first race in which the two fastest marathoners in history would have lined up together.

“It will be exciting to meet Kipchoge, who has inspired many. I am ready to race against him,” said Kiptum to Olympics.com just before his record run.

“I am dreaming of the Paris Olympics. If I get a chance to be selected by the selectors, I’ll be thankful and I’ll go there and try to win a medal.”

Kiptum became the first man to record three sub-2:02 times in 12 months.

“It was my dream one day to have the world marathon world. I had planned for it in Chicago next year or even 2025. Fortunately, it just came in Chicago and it’s a dream come true," he said.

Kiptum is the second-high profile Kenyan marathoner to die in the prime of his career.

Samuel Wanjiru, who raced to the Olympic marathon record at the Beijing 2008 Games, died after falling from a balcony at his home in Nyahururu.

He was the first Kenyan to win the Olympic marathon. At only 23, he had already won four major marathons – the Olympic race, Chicago in 2009 and in 2010 and London in 2009.