Athletics: Marathon World Record Holder Dies!
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
Kelvin Kiptum, the men’s marathon world record holder, has died in a car accident in his native country of Kenya on 11 February 2024.
He was 24 years old and died together with his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, who was 36 years old.
Kenyan Sports Minster, Ababu Namwamba, remarked:
“Kenya has lost a special gem.”
Whilst Lord Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, commented:
“Kiptum was an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy.”
In the Chicago marathon in October last year, his last race, he clocked 2 hours and 35 seconds, shaving 34 seconds off the world record time.
Last week, his team announced that he would attempt to run the 2024 Rotterdam marathon in April in under two hours.
Kiptum was also due to run in the Paris Olympics marathon later this year.
He ran his first full marathon in 2022.
What a loss to the sport!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
