Kelvin Kiptum dying: 2023 Chicago Marathon champion, world record-holder dies in automotive crash in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya — Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach died in a automotive crash in Kenya late Sunday, a fellow athlete who went to the hospital and noticed Kiptum’s physique stated.

Kiptum was 24 and heading in the right direction to be a celebrity of long-distance operating.

Kiptum and his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana have been killed within the crash at round 11 p.m., stated Kenyan runner Milcah Chemos, who was on the hospital the place the our bodies have been taken.

The crash occurred on a street between the cities of Eldoret and Kaptagat in western Kenya, she stated, within the coronary heart of the high-altitude area that is famend as a coaching base for lengthy distance runners.

Chemos stated she was amongst a gaggle of athletes who had gone to the hospital in Eldoret after listening to the information of the crash. Members of the family of Kiptum have been additionally with them to determine his physique, Chemos stated.

Kenyan media reported {that a} third individual, a lady, was within the automotive and was taken to the identical hospital with critical accidents.

Kiptum was the primary man to run the marathon in underneath 2 hours, 1 minute. He set the brand new world document of two:00.35 on the Chicago Marathon in October, beating the mark of fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge.

Kiptum’s document was ratified by worldwide observe federation World Athletics final week.

Kenyan athletics federation president Jackson Tuwei stated he had despatched a group of officers to the world after being knowledgeable of the late-night accident.

Kiptum had quick success by operating the quickest time ever by a marathon debutant on the 2022 Valencia Marathon. He received the London and Chicago races final 12 months, two of essentially the most prestigious marathons on the planet.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe was one of many first to supply his condolences in a press release on X, previously Twitter.

“We’re shocked and deeply saddened to be taught of the devastating lack of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” Coe wrote. “On behalf of all World Athletics we ship our deepest condolences to their households, pals, teammates and the Kenyan nation.”

“It was solely earlier this week in Chicago, the place the place Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon World Report, that I used to be in a position to formally ratify his historic time. An unbelievable athlete leaving an unbelievable legacy, we are going to miss him dearly,” Coe wrote.

Financial institution of America Chicago Marathon Govt Race Director Carey Pinkowski launched a press release, saying, “We’re shocked and saddened by the information of the latest dying of Kelvin Kiptum. Kelvin was a as soon as in a era athlete on the entrance of his profession and there’s no doubt in my thoughts that his best achievements have been forward of him. We have been fortunate to witness his greatness on the streets of Chicago. Whereas he shall be celebrated for his record-breaking performances, I’ll bear in mind him as an unbelievable expertise and as an much more magnificent individual. The game of marathon operating has suffered a tragic loss. Our ideas and prayers are together with his household.”

ABC7 Chicago contributed to this report.

The video within the participant above is from a earlier report.