Agency Report/
Tributes have poured in for Kenyan running sensation Kelvin Kiptum after the marathon world record-holder was killed in a car crash at the age of 24.
Kiptum, the favourite for the Paris 2024 Olympics and his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana, were killed on yesterday when their car veered off the road and hit a tree in western Kenya. A third passenger, Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei, was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
Sir Mo Farrah stated in a post on X: “I’m so sad to hear the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. Kelvin was an amazingly talented athlete and had already achieved so much. He truly had a special talent and I have no doubt he would have gone on to have had an incredible career. I send all my sympathies and condolences to his and Gervais’ family and friends at this tragic time.”
Another X user, Comfort Phiri, stated: “For a brief period Kelvin Kiptum had mankind truly believing that a sub two hour marathon was within reach. He is gone and we are left wondering whether it is possible. Gone too soon with all the answers!”
Here are a few things you should know about Kiptum:
– He is the only person in history to run the marathon under two hours and one minute in a record-eligible race, clocking in at 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. This feat shattered the previous record of 2:01:09 set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge.
– He has won three major marathons: Vienna City Marathon (2022), London Marathon (2023), and Chicago Marathon (2023). Notably, he set course records in all three victories, with times that rank among the six fastest marathons ever run.
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