Eldoret, Kenya: World marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum aged 24 years old and his Rwandese coach, Garvais Hakizimana 36, perished in a self-involved tragic road accident on the fateful Sunday night of 11th February, along the Eldoret-Kaptagat road in the Rift Valley region. Kiptum’s sedan veered off the road after it lost control throwing the totally wrecked vehicle into a ditch, travelling along for 60 metres before finally hitting a tree. Both occupants died on the spot, while a third occupant, a female passenger identified at Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei, narrowly escaped death and only sustained injuries.

Just a decade ago, Kiptum who was a teenager then while herding goats and sheep, developed an interest in running and would often follow Hakizimana along with other runners who
were training in the highlands of the Rift valley. At the age of 13, the young Kiptum ventured into athletics and soon took the sports as his career.

On learning about Kiptum’s sudden death, the World Athletics President Sebastian Coe was one of the first to offer his condolences in a statement on X, formerly Twitter

Kelvin’s recent ratified record in Chicago showcased his potential for a bright future, representing the next generation of Olympic greatness.

“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,” said President Ruto in his condolence message.
“An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark
on the globe. Our thoughts are with the family and the
sporting fraternity. Rest In Peace”

Kenya’s Head of State, Dr. William Ruto,

Meanwhile, President Ruto also dispatched a team of engineers to the home of the world champion, with instructions to immediately build a three-bedroom house for the family of the late hero. Kiptum hailed from Chepkorio, a village in the Rift Valley that is also the cradle of world champions.

The Kenyan government announced early this week that it will ensure Kiptum is given a befitting send-off after flying the country’s flag high. Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba revealed that the government would take full charge of all funeral
arrangements, in consultation with the family.

By 2019, Kiptum ran two half-marathons in a fortnight, doing
60:48 in Copenhagen and 59:53 in Belfort, France
respectively.

He began training with Hakizimana, who stayed in Kenya when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
Kiptum had immediately romped to fame by running the fastest time ever by a marathon debutant at the 2022 Valencia Marathon where he clocked 2:01:53 and was dubbed the
fastest debut marathon in history. The following year, he won the London and Chicago races,
two of the most prestigious marathons in the world. He set a new course record at the London Marathon last April and then became the fastest marathoner in the world months
later.

The incredible athlete Kiptum was the first man to run the marathon in under 2 hours, 1 minute in an official race when he set the world record of 2:00.35 in Chicago in October,
taking 34 seconds off the 26-mile world record that was held by fellow Kenyan star Eliud Kipchoge, who is also the reigning two-time Olympic champion. Kiptum and compatriot Kipchoge were anticipated to provide an enticing all-Kenyan b/attle for the first time this summer at the Paris Olympics.

The legendary star was due to start his season at the Rotterdam Marathon in April, which would have been his first event since breaking the world record. Kiptum’s father Mzee Samson Cheruiyot termed his son’s death as a major blow to the family, disclosing that he was the only child and now leaves behind a young family.

He also told me that he would run for 1 hour 58 minutes (in the upcoming race) because he felt his body was in great shape, said a devastated Mzee Cheruiyot. The world champion who died at a prime age, leaves behind a widow, Asenath Cheruto Rotich and two young children, aged
7 and 4 years respectively.

“He was a jovial, loving man who loved his family more so,
his children. He wanted to excel in his career and would
always be punctual at the training camp,”

Kiptum’s widow

The mother-of-two said the last time she was with her husband was on February 10 when he left for the Fluorspar training camp in Kerio Valley, planning to return on Monday, which never happened as he perished in the tragic accident that fateful Sunday night. The widow said that her late husband was to return home and gift their children with wristwatches that he had promised. She revealed that her husband had planned to take her to the Rotterdam Marathon on April 14. The couple already had plans to build a new family home in around Eldoret, close to where other athletes live, which they would move into in mid-2024 had the athlete not died in the road accident, said a sobbing Asenath.