World Record Holder Kelvin Kiptum Dies In Road Accident
His untimely demise at the age of 24 comes almost a week after World Athletics announced the ratification of his world record.
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Kenyan athlete Kelvin Kiptum, who broke the world record on October 8, 2023 by setting a new record time of two hours and 35 seconds (2:00:35) at the Chicago Marathon, is dead.
Kiptum and his coach died in an accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat road. The Standard reported that this was confirmed by his family and traffic base commandant Dennis Muga.
Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba, who was the first government official to react to the demise, wrote "Devastatingly sickening!! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words."
Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, termed the demise of Kiptum a devastating affair and sent his condolences to his family.
Kelvin Kiptum in action during the 2023 Chicago Marathon. /X
"Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, World Record holder and Kenyan athletics icon. Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight.
"My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity. Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero," he wrote.
Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi on his part wrote "He made an indelible mark not only through his achievements but also through mentorship and leadership, guiding aspiring athletes to reach their full potential. The legacy he leaves behind is a testament to his passion and commitment to excellence."
His untimely demise at the age of 24 comes almost a week after World Athletics announced the ratification of his world record.
Ratification is an official recognition and approval of a performance or record achieved by an athlete and formally cements the fete in the global scene.
According to the World Athletics, the marathon record was considered official based on the statement released. The previous world record at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon was 2 hours and 1 minute (2:01) based on World Athletics data.
In the statement ratifying the world record, World Athletics stated “Kenya’s Kiptum became the first athlete to break 2:01 in a record-eligible marathon, taking 34 seconds off the world record”.
Kiptum became the first athlete to break 2:01 in a record-eligible marathon, taking 34 seconds off the world record at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on 8 October.
With that performance, Kiptum improved his personal best by 50 seconds to surpass the world record of 2:01:09 set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin on 25 September 2022.
He pushed the pace throughout the race in Chicago and broke away from a seven-strong lead group after reaching 5km in 14:26, joined by his compatriot Daniel Mateiko. They were on world record pace at 10km and passed in 28:42, but the tempo dropped a little and they reached halfway in 1:00:48.
After 30km was passed in 1:26:31, Kiptum kicked and dropped Mateiko. A blistering 5km split of 13:51 took him to the 35km checkpoint in 1:40:22 and he was on sub-2:01 pace, 49 seconds ahead of Mateiko.
Continuing to run with urgency, Kiptum passed 40km in 1:54:23 – after a 27:52 10km split. He went on to win the race by almost three and a half minutes, crossing the finish line at 2:00:35.
“I knew I was coming for a course record, but a world record – I am so happy,” he said. “A world record was not on my mind today, but I knew one day I would be a world record-holder.”
