Kelvin Kipyum, a Kenyan long-distance runner, who achieved a remarkable feat in the history of marathon running, set a world marathon record by becoming the first person to finish a marathon in less than two hours and one minute while following all the rules, has died at 24 years old.
Kipyum lost his life in a car accident in western Kenya on Sunday. His Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana died in the same accident.
Kipyum excelled in three major marathons between December 2022 and October 2023, winning two of the prestigious World Marathon Majors (WMM). He is known for achieving three of the six fastest marathon times ever recorded, breaking the course record under 2:02 each time.
His achievements confirmed his unique status as the only person to surpass the sub-2:02 mark in three different races.
This sad event has shocked the athletics community. Kiptum, who was becoming well-known, set a world record in the Chicago marathon at the age of 23 with a remarkable time of 2:00:35. He won in Valencia and London as well. Kiptum was planning to try for a historic sub-two-hour marathon in Rotterdam and was the top choice for a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
World Athletics recognized him as a promising new talent in road running, highlighting him as one of the most exciting prospects to emerge in recent years.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said in a statement.
“On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates, and the Kenyan nation.”
