Kelvin Kiptum: World Marathon Record Holder Sadly Passes On in Road Accident

• World marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, has passed on
• He died in a road accident at around 11 pm EAT on February 11
• Kiptum broke the world record in October last year in Chicago

World marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, has sadly passed on in a road accident on February 11.

The accident reportedly happened along the Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine Road in the Kaptagat area, approximately 300 kilometres from Kenya's capital, Nairobi.

The athlete was driving a Toyota Premio with his Rwandese coach, Gervais Hakizimana, and a third occupant, Sharon Kosgey. Kiptum and his coach were killed on impact while Kosgey was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Standard News reports that the area traffic commandant, Dennis Muga, has confirmed the bodies have been moved to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

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The vehicle was a wreck and had to be towed to the nearby police station.

Inside Kelvin Kiptum's short career

Kiptum broke the world record by running a staggering 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon in October last year. He broke the previous record held by compatriot, Eliud Kipchoge, shaving off 34 seconds in the brilliant run.

Aged only 23 years, Kiptum had only raced twice before breaking the world record. He debuted in Valencia in December 2022 before returning to the London Marathon in April, where he shattered the course record time.

In London, Kiptum clocked 2:01:25, which was only 16 seconds short of the then-world record.

He was set to open his season at the Rotterdam Marathon in April before making his debut at the Olympics in Paris in July. The 24-year-old had already been selected as one of the members of Team Kenya alongside Kipchoge.

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Athletes who died in their prime

Sports Brief has also reported that a number of top Kenyan athletes who passed away in their prime, including Kiptum.

Samuel Wanjiru died in 2011, three years after winning gold at the Beijing Olympics 2008. He was 24 years old at the time.

Agnes Tirop was murdered in her home in Elgeyo Marakwet, with her husband being arrested and charged with the killing.