Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum, marathon world-record holder, dies in a car crash

Kelvin Kiptum was one of the most promising newcomers to road running in a long time, and in August, he was a strong candidate to win the gold medal in the marathon at the Paris Olympics.

Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum, who was set to be a superstar of long-distance running, was killed along with his coach in a car crash in Kenya late Sunday.

Kiptum, 24, just had the world record he set at the Chicago Marathon last year validated by the international track organization World Athletics.

He was one of the most promising newcomers to road running in a long time, and in August, he was a strong candidate to win the gold medal in the marathon at the Paris Olympics.

Kiptum's Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, was also killed in the crash, which took place around 11 p.m. local time. Another Kenyan athlete, Milcah Chemos, confirmed their deaths to The Associated Press. She was at the hospital mortuary where the bodies were taken and had seen Kiptum's body, she said.

One of the first people to post a condolence message on X, the former Twitter platform, was Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation."

"It was only earlier this week in Chicago, where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon World Record, that I was able to ratify his historic time officially. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly."

Kelvin Kiptum achievements

• Last year, Kiptum took the running world by surprise when he finished the Chicago Marathon, clocking 2 hours and 35 seconds. This past week, World Athletics ratified his historic time.
• It was the first time a sprinter had finished a record-eligible marathon in under two hours and one minute.
• Kiptum's record-setting showing in Chicago bested the previous record held by his fellow Kenyan, Eliud Kipchoge, who finished the 2022 Berlin Marathon in 2:01:09.

Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba also shared his condolence on X: "Devastatingly sickening!! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words."