•The Head of State eulogized Kiptum as a star, noting that an extraordinary sportsman had left an extraordinary mark on the globe.
•Kiptum's death happened 6 days later after the IAAF ratified his record of 2:00:35
Image: FILE
President William Ruto has joined Kenyans in mourning the tragic death of Athletee Kelvin Kiptum.
In a statement on Monday, the Head of State eulogized Kiptum as a star, noting that an extraordinary sportsman who has left an extraordinary mark on the globe.
"Kelvin Kiptum was arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record," he said.
The President noted that just at the age of 24, Kiptum was a hero who triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and other top competitions.
Mourning the Kenyan child, Ruto said Kiptum's mental strength and discipline were unmatched, adding that," Kiptum was our future."
The President passed his condolences to the family and the entire sporting fraternity.
Kiptum and his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana died in a tragic road accident Sunday night in the Kaptagat area along the Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine road.
Kiptum is said to have been the one driving the vehicle heading to Eldoret when the accident occurred.
“The accident happened around 11 pm. The car had three occupants, two died on the spot while one was taken to hospital,” Elgeyo Marakwet County Commandant Peter Mulinge said.
Kiptum's death happened 6 days later after the IAAF ratified his record of 2:00:35
He broke Eliud Kipchoge's world record in Chicago last October, running 26.1 miles in two hours and 35 seconds.
Last week, his team announced that he would attempt to run the distance in under two hours at the Rotterdam marathon - a feat that has never been achieved in open competition.
Kiptum was born on December 2, 1999, and is a Kenyan long-distance runner and the Marathon World Record holder (2:00:35).
He is the only person in history to run a marathon under 2:01:00 in a record-eligible race.
Kiptum holds three of the top six fastest marathons ever run.
He ran the fastest-ever marathon debut at the 2022 Valencia Marathon, becoming the third man in history to break two hours and two minutes
Kiptum followed with a debut at a World Marathon Major, winning the 2023 London Marathon in what was then the second-fastest time in history of 2:01:25, 16 seconds outside the then-world record.
In the 2023 Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2023, Kiptum set a new marathon world record with a time of 2:00:35.
At the age of 18, in October 2018, Kiptum won the Eldoret Half Marathon with a time of 1:02:01