Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum died in a car accident

Kiptum has only run three marathons in his life. Debuted in Valencia in December 2022, setting the fastest time in history for a rookie (2:01:53) and won in London in 2:01:25 before breaking the timer in Chicago in 2023.

Kiptum, who broke the world record of 42.195 kilometers (2:00:35) in Chicago a few months ago, was scheduled to run in Rotterdam and had declared that he was ready to run in under two hours.

A few months later, he would enter one of the duels of the last decade with Eliud Kipchoge in the marathon at the Paris Olympic Games.

Kiptum He was the man called to replace his friend Eliud Kipchonge and a place where everyone is confident in dropping the two-hour marathon limit once and for all. Four months later Olympic Games, Athletics, which will compete in a major championship for the first time, loses one of its leading athletes in the dark night.

Athletics mourns his death

The official ‘X’ account, which includes the ‘majors’, which are considered the six best marathons in the world, published the following message on their network: “The entire Abbott World Marathon Majors family is devastated by this news Death of our champion and world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana. “All our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

A condolence message was also released from the Boston Marathon organization, where Kiptum broke the world record: “The marathon community mourns the death of world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana”.

Valencia MarathonThe place where he debuted in 2022 also wanted to commemorate him with a short condolence message and a black and white photo commemorating his victory.

Raúl Chapado, President of the Royal Spanish Athletics FederationSpanish half marathon champion Yago Rojo also described the Kenyan’s death as “terrible news”.

“What a difficult day for the sport of running. I have no words for this terrible news. We will always remember you as the fastest RIP Kiptum“Red said this on his social networks.

Juan Carlos Higuero, the European indoor 1,500 meters champion in 2007, said he was “horrified”. “I believe that life is very cruel sometimes. “We must take advantage of the beautiful moments that life offers us and try to make living together easier for others.”

Sprinter Ángel David Rodríguez was in favor “Remember the legend that happened and it can become like this. DEP”.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “I was shocked and very sad.” For the death of Kiptum.

“I was able to officially confirm Kelvin’s historic time earlier this week in Chicago, where he broke his remarkable marathon world record. Kelvin was an incredible athlete who left an incredible legacy. “We will miss him very much,” Coe said.