The world of sports was shocked to learn of the sudden death of the world record holder for marathons, Kelvin Kiptum. Only a few days after his incredible 2:00:35 victory at the 2023 Chicago Marathon was officially confirmed, World Athletics honored the deceased athlete with a moving film on their official YouTube channel.
The tragic death of a remarkable talent whose legacy will live on forever in the annals of marathon history has left the sporting world in a state of collective shock.
On February 11, 2024, a devastating vehicle accident in Kenya claimed the lives of Kenyan athlete Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. A serious medal candidate at the Olympics in Paris, Kelvin was preparing for the Rotterdam Marathon in April 2024.
A heartfelt homage video was released by World Athletics, featuring an exclusive interview shot during the December 2023 award event. The sudden death of a gifted athlete leaves a vacuum that the sports world will never fill.
Kelvin said; “This was my first time in Chiacgo and I was ready for the race. In fact, that day I was going for my personal best, to break the course record. In that moment, I was feeling good, feeling strong, feeling relaxed,” an article from sportskeeda.com shared.
Remarks of Kelvin Kiptum
In just his third official marathon, Kelvin Kiptum left his mark on running history with a breathtaking feat of athletic brilliance that broke the world record. Breaking the two-hour and one-minute mark in an official marathon, Kiptum was the innovator.
He even beat the record set by the renowned Olympic champion, Eliud Kipchoge, who ran the Berlin Marathon in 2:01:09. With his historic victory at the Valencia Marathon, where he broke the two-hour, two-minute mark, Kiptum began his stratospheric journey to marathon fame.
He distinguished himself as a formidable force in the long-distance running community with his unmatched speed and elegant running style, which revealed an unrealized reservoir of potential.
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