Kelvin Kiptum: Faith Kipyegon Pays Tribute to Kenyan Marathon Star Who Died in Road Accident

• Kelvin Kiptum died in a road accident in Kenya on Sunday
• World champion, Faith Kipyegon, has sent her condolences
• Kiptum smashed the men's marathon world record last year

Faith Kipyegon has joined Eliud Kipchoge and Noah Lyles in mourning marathon world record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, who died on Sunday evening in a road accident.

Kiptum and his coach, Rwanda's Gervais Hakizimana, died in Eldoret, Western Kenya.

Double Olympic champion, Kipyegon posted a touching tribute on Instagram to her compatriot, who died at 24.

"Condolences to the family and friends of Kelvin Kiptum. You will be missed by all in the athletics community. Rest in Peace." ❤️

Kiptum was gearing up for his fourth marathon in April in Rotterdam, seeking to lower the world record he set in Chicago last year, per World Athletics.

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Eliud Kipchoge mourns Kiptum

Sports Brief also previously reported on Kenyan marathon icon, Eliud Kipchoge, mourning the death of Kiptum.

"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," he said in a statement.

Kiptum and Kipchoge were expected to face off at the Paris 2024 Olympics later this year. Kiptum made his marathon debut in Valencia in 2022, recording a superb time of 2:01:53.

The 24-year-old clocked 2:01:25 to win the 2023 London Marathon before shattering the world record. He shaved 34 seconds off Kipchoge's world record to finish in 2:00:35, per World Athletics.

Kenyan athletes who died in their prime

Sports Brief has also earlier reported on Kenyan athletes who passed away in their prime after Kiptum's untimely demise in an accident while travelling.

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2008 Olympic champion, Samuel Wanjiru, died in 2011 after falling from his balcony in Nyahururu while Agnes Tirop is among others who died in their prime.

Nicholas Bett tragically died in 2018, shortly after becoming the first Kenyan to win gold at the World Athletics Championships in a race under 800m.