Kenya’s world-record marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum killed in automobile crash

In accordance with worldwide media reviews, Kiptum misplaced management of the car, and the younger operating sensation and his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, have been killed on the spot, an area police officer stated. A feminine passenger who sustained accidents was rushed to the hospital.

Kiptum exploded onto the marathon scene when he ran a world document 2:00:35 in Chicago in October, taking 34 seconds off fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge’s earlier document.

He was simply 23 years previous on the time, and competing in solely his third marathon. Kiptum additionally gained his different two races: his debut in Valencia in 2022 and a follow-up in London the next yr.

The Kenyan had introduced he would try and turn into the primary man to run an official marathon below the two-hour mark in Rotterdam on April 14.

Kiptum was the overwhelming favorite to take the gold on the upcoming Summer time Olympics in Paris.

Tributes poured in following the information of Kiptum’s demise.

World Athletics remembered him as “one of the vital thrilling new prospects to emerge in street operating in recent times”.

“We’re shocked and deeply saddened to be taught of the devastating lack of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe stated in a press release.

“On behalf of all World Athletics, we ship our deepest condolences to their households, associates, teammates and the Kenyan nation.”

Coe stated solely final week he had been in Chicago “to formally ratify” Kiptum’s document.

“An unbelievable athlete leaving an unbelievable legacy, we’ll miss him dearly.”