The world of athletics is in mourning after the tragic news of the death of Kelvin Kiptum (1999-2024), the Kenyan runner who broke the mold in the marathon race with his world record ( 2:00:35). And probably the man predestined to go under 2 hours in the marathon. Kiptum lost his life in a fatal traffic accident on the Eldoret-Kaptagat road. His departure not only leaves a void in the sport, but also in the aspirations to overcome that 2 hours barrier which until now seemed insurmountable.
Kelvin Kiptum was driving a Toyota vehicle along the road linking Eldoret to Kaptagat, an area known to be the heart of cross-country training in Kenya. According to preliminary police reports, Kiptum lost control of the car, resulting in a crash into a tree and the vehicle subsequently falling into a ditch.
Also in the car were his trainer, Gervais Hakizimana, and a passenger identified as Sharon Kosgei. While Kiptum and Hakizimana died on the spot, Kosgei survived, albeit with serious injuries. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact causes of the accident, in a region where Kenyan long-distance runners often train and live.
Kelvin Kiptum, born on December 2, 1999 in the Keiyo District of the Rift Valley, emerged in the world of athletics in spectacular fashion. His youth was not an impediment to demonstrating exceptional talent and determination. From his debut in the 2019 Lisbon half marathon, where he clocked a time of 59:54, Kiptum began to stand out on the international circuit.
However, it was in Valencia in 2022 where Kiptum truly put herself on the world athletics map. With a time of 2:01:53 in his first marathon, he recorded the fastest time for a debutant in history. This achievement was just the beginning of a string of successes that would establish his status as one of the greats of the distance.
In 2023, Kiptum won the London Marathon with a time of 2:01:25, followed by his historic victory in Chicago, where he set a new world record of 2:00:35. Kiptum was on the path to break the two-hour barrier in an official marathon, a milestone that had been chased by the best runners in history. In fact he planned to do so at the Rotterdam Marathon on April 14.
Kelvin Kiptum's traditional training method
Kiptum combined rigorous training far from today's new training formulas with a humble and determined approach. He ran 240 km per week at altitude, following a traditional training regimen. His success, according to those who knew him, was due not only to his physical ability, but also to his mentality and dedication.
With only three marathons to his credit, Kiptum had already left an indelible mark on the world of athletics. His untimely departure leaves a legacy of what could have been and the memory of an athlete who, in a short time, reached heights that many only dream of touching.
Photo: World Athletics.
His marks and victories on the asphalt make it clear that Kelvin Kiptum was destined to make history in world athletics, but his name joins the black list of elite athletes who died in fatal accidents.
Source: Wikipedia. In World Athletics you can find all his records.
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