European Athletics shares in the sport’s mourning on the news that marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum died in a road traffic accident in Kenya on Sunday (11) evening, aged just 24.
Kiptum’s coach Gervais Hakizimana, was also killed in the tragic incident. The trailblazing marathon runner set the current world record of 2:00:35 to win the Chicago Marathon last October.
His short, but brilliant career, made him one of the stars of the sport, including several glorious performances in Europe. He made his first international appearances in 2019, clocking sub-60 minute half marathons in Montbéliard, France and Lisbon, Portugal.
He beat the same barrier in Den Haag, Netherlands, Lens, France and Valencia, Spain twice in over the 21k distance across 2020 and 2021.
But it was in the classic distance where he truly excelled, running the fastest time ever by a debutant, when he triumphed in Valencia in December 2022 with a staggering victory in 2:01:53.
Then at the 2023 London Marathon in April last year, his trademark strong second half – run in 59:45 – enabled him to break the course record in 2:01:25. Then came his record shattering performance in Chicago, taking 34 seconds off the record held by fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge.
Dobromir Karamarinov, European Athletics President said: “The athletics family is saddened by this tragic news from Kenya. Our thoughts are with our colleagues in Kenya and in the wider running community at this time.
“Kelvin Kiptum was a special athlete and we were privileged to witness his talent in Europe. His incredible performances leave a legacy of inspiration for distance running everywhere.”