Kelvin Kiptum: Reactions After Tragic Accident Claimed Marathon World Record Holder and Coach’s Life

• World marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum has died in a road accident
• Kiptum's coach, Gervais Hazimana, also succumbed to the crash
• The sporting world has sent condolences and tributes to the Kenyan's family

Kenya's running community is mourning following the loss of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically lost his life in a fatal road accident.

The incident occurred along the Eldoret-Ravine highway on Sunday night, February 11, where Kiptum's car veered off the road, striking a tree and killing him instantly.

His coach, Gervais Hazimana, also succumbed to the crash.

The accident occurred at Flax junction in Kaptagat as Kiptum returned home from Eldoret,

Details from Elgeyo Marakwet County police reveal that the athlete’s Toyota Premio was involved in the crash, resulting in the fatalities.

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“The accident happened around 11 pm. The car had three occupants, two died on the spot while one was taken to hospital,” Elgeyo Marakwet County Commandant Peter Mulinge said, as quoted by The Star.

Also, in the Toyota Premio with Kiptum and his coach was a lady in the back seat, Sharon Kosgei, who sustained injuries and is receiving medical attention at the Eldoret Racecourse Hospital. The bodies of Kiptum and Hazimana have been transported to the hospital's morgue.

Investigations into the exact circumstances surrounding the accident are ongoing as law enforcement seeks to provide clarity and closure to the tragic event.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe was among the first to react to the news, acknowledging that he had just ratified Kiptum's marathon record.

"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, where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon world record, that I was able to ratify his historic time officially," said Coe, as quoted by World Athletics.

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Here are some other reactions captured by Sports Brief:

The untimely demise of Kiptum cuts short a promising career that saw him rise to prominence with victories at prestigious marathons, including the Valencia Marathon in December 2022 and the London Marathon in 2023, where he set a course record.

His crowning achievement came with breaking the world record at the Chicago Marathon in October, leaving a mark on distance running.

Kelvin Kiptum's marathon world record ratified

Sports Brief previously reported when Kelvin Kiptum's world marathon record was finally ratified by World Athletics, months after he obliterated the record.

The Kenyan star won the Chicago Marathon on October 8 at 2:00:35, becoming the first man to run a marathon under 2:01.

With his win, Kiptum shaved 34 seconds off the world record set by his compatriot, Eliud Kipchoge (2:01:09) at the Berlin Marathon 2022.