Kenyan marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum, the world record holder, and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, died in a road accident on February 11, 2024, on the Eldoret-Kaptagat road in Kenya.
The accident occurred just five days after World Athletics ratified Kiptum’s marathon record of 2:00.35 set in Chicago in 2023. Kiptum’s meteoric rise to marathon stardom had garnered him quite a lot of fans, and tributes poured in for him and Hakizimana’s family as news of their passing spread online.
The incident occurred at the Kaptagat area along the Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine road. Kiptum was behind the wheel of a Toyota Premio, with two passengers on board – his coach Garvais and a lady identified as Sharon Kosgey.
Kiptum’s journey to the top of the marathon world was an unconventional one. He started running in 2018, borrowing shoes for his first major local competition.
He claimed to be self-trained but later revealed that he had been receiving guidance from Hakizimana since 2020.
Hakizimana, a Rwandan 3000-meter steeplechase record holder, recognized Kiptum’s potential in the half marathon and offered to coach him in 2020 after seeing his natural talent and dedication.
The Kenyan former prime minister, Raila Odinga, expressed his condolences to Kiptum’s loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity, calling Kiptum a true hero.
The athletics world has lost a great talent, and Kiptum’s death is a significant loss to the sport.