Eliud Kipchoge Mourns The Late Kelvin Kiptum
He further offered his condolences to the family of Kiptum, who died in a tragic road accident in the early hours of Monday morning.
Marvin Chege 
Legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge on Monday, February 12 mourned the death of Kelvin Kiptum, who won the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:00:35, causing an upset by breaking the world record set by Kipchoge.
Through an official statement on his social media pages, Kipchoge remarked that Kiptum had a whole life ahead of him and was destined for greatness at the age of 24.
He further offered his condolences to the family of Kiptum, who died in a tragic road accident in the early hours of Monday morning.
Kelvin Kiptum during the 2023 London Marathon. /TCS LONDON MARATHON
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of the marathon world record holder and rising star Kelvin Kiptum," stated Kipchoge in part.
"An athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness. I offer my condolences to his young family. May God comfort you during this trying time."
The two were expected to go head to head during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. In October 2023, during the Chicago Marathon, Kiptum broke Kipchoge's record after clocking 2:00:35.
Kipchoge, who spoke to the media in Spain where he was awarded the prestigious Princess of Asturias Sports Award for 2023 on October 20, 2023, expressed his happiness for Kiptum.
However, he revealed that he was not surprised that the late 24-year-old had broken his record, expressing his delight at setting the stage for other athletes to break records.
"I was not surprised about [Kiptum] breaking the world record,” Kipchoge said.
“I was happy to see the record being broken…I am looking forward to seeing records being broken because I have shown them the way."
Besides Kipchoge, other athletes both in Kenya and internationally sent their condolence messages, describing the late Kiptum as a bonafide star.
The accident which claimed Kiptum's life occurred between Eldoret and Kaptagat. Most long-distance runners train along this stretch.
Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Peter Mulinge revealed that the accident occurred on Sunday, February 11 at 11 pm, which also claimed the life of his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana at the Kaptagat area along the Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine road.
Kiptum was driving a Toyota Premio with two passengers on board; Gervais and a woman identified as Sharon Kosgey, who escaped with serious injuries and was rushed to Racecourse Hospital for medical attention before being later discharged.
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