Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
Kelvin Kiptum, the renowned world marathon record holder and victor of the London Marathon, met with a fatal accident in Kenya.
The incident, reported by Truth Live News, occurred as Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, were traveling between Eldoret and Kaptagat, key locales for Kenyan endurance runners.
The fatal crash transpired at 11pm local time, where Kiptum lost control of the vehicle, veering off-road into a ditch and colliding with a tree, claiming both his and Hakizimana’s lives.
Kiptum’s remarkable prowess in long-distance running made headlines when he smashed Eliud Kipchoge’s marathon record in Chicago last year, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s rising stars.
His unparalleled achievements included dominating the London Marathon with a record-breaking time, only the third fastest in history.
Tragically, the promising athlete’s life was cut short, leaving behind a legacy of extraordinary athletic feats.
Eliud Kipchoge, expressing profound sorrow, mourned the loss of his fellow athlete and extended condolences to Kiptum’s bereaved family.
Survived by his wife, Asenath Rotich, and their two children, Kiptum’s untimely demise leaves a void in the athletic world.
The local police commander, Peter Mulinge, characterized the accident as a solitary mishap involving Kiptum driving with two passengers, resulting in the immediate fatalities of Kiptum and Hakizimana, with the third individual hospitalized with severe injuries.
Kenya’s cabinet secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, paid tribute to Kiptum’s extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication, emphasizing his influential role as a mentor and leader in the athletic community.
Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, joined in expressing condolences, underscoring the profound loss felt by the global athletic fraternity.
As the sporting world grapples with the loss of a promising talent, the memory of Kelvin Kiptum will endure as a testament to his unparalleled achievements and enduring legacy in the world of long-distance running.
