Kelvin Kiptum: Eliud Kipchoge Mourns Death of World Marathon Record Holder

• Eliud Kipchoge has joined the world in mourning the death of Kelvin Kiptum
• Kiptum tragically lost his life on February 11 in a road accident in Kenya
• He broke Kipchoge's world record at the Chicago marathon last year

Eliud Kipchoge has condoled with Kelvin Kiptum's family following the tragic passing of the world marathon record holder on February 11.

Kiptum met his untimely death in a road accident in Kaptagat area, Kenya, after he lost control of the car he was driving.

Police reports indicate that the car, which had two other occupants, rolled a couple of times before hitting a tree and landing on a ditch. Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hazikimana, lost their lives on the spot while the other occupant was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Eliud Kipchoge's tribute to Kelvin Kiptum

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Kipchoge has shared a moving tribute to the man who broke his world record in blistering fashion last year at the Chicago marathon.

"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. I offer my deepest condolences to his young family. May God comfort you during this trying time."

Kiptum rose to prominence in December 2022 when he clocked the fastest time for a debutant in a marathon. He then went to the London marathon in April, where he shattered Kipchoge's course record. His time of 2:01:25 was only 16 seconds shy of breaking the then-world record.

Six months later, he wasn't to be denied in Chicago as he became the first man to run a marathon under 2 hours and 1 minute, thereby demolishing Kipchoge's record. Kiptum died only five days after World Athletics had ratified his time of 2:00:35 as the new world record.

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Kenyan athletes who died in their prime

Sports Brief has also reported that Kiptum has joined a list of top Kenyan athletes who died in their prime.

Kiptum broke the world record while still 23 years old. Samuel Wanjiru died in 2011, three years after winning the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.