Tragedy struck the athletics world as Kenyan marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum lost his life in a fatal road accident along the Eldoret-Kapsabet Road. The incident also claimed the life of his Burundian coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
Eldoret police confirmed the devastating news, revealing that Kiptum and his coach were both victims of the crash. The untimely demise of Kiptum comes just five days after World Athletics officially ratified his marathon record of 2:00:35, which he set in Chicago last year.
Reacting to the heartbreaking news, former presidential candidate Raila Odinga expressed his sorrow over the loss of the Kenyan athletics icon. Odinga described the incident as devastating and offered his deepest condolences to Kiptum's loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity.
In a social media post, Odinga wrote, "Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight. My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity. Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero."
Kelvin Kiptum made history by becoming the first athlete to break the 2:01 mark in a record-eligible marathon. His remarkable feat occurred during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8, where he shattered the previous world record by an impressive 34 seconds.
Kiptum's extraordinary performance not only secured his place in athletics history but also surpassed the world record set by his compatriot, Eliud Kipchoge, in Berlin on September 25, 2022. With his untimely passing, the athletics community mourns the loss of a talented and promising athlete whose legacy will forever be remembered.
