The pair were killed after Kiptum’s car veered off the road on the evening of February 11 as they returned home from a meeting with potential sponsors. A third passenger, Sharon Kosgei, survived the accident and was hospitalised with minor injuries, later claiming that Kiptum had accelerated rather than braking after leaving the road, with police suspecting that he may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Kosgey’s relationship to Kiptum and Hakizimana is unclear.
Kiptum was widely regarded as a soon-to-be superstar and was a hands-down favourite to take gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
His world record marathon was set just months ago at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, just the third elite marathon entrance of his career, where he clocked a blistering time of 2 hours and 35 seconds, maintaining an average speed of 13.04 miles per hour.
He had also been first over the line at the 2023 London Marathon and 2022 Valencia Marathon, setting course records in each race. Just the third man to ever finish a marathon in under two hours and two minutes after Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele, Kiptum had the world of athletics at his feet.
His limitless potential is clear from his other best efforts, which include a sub-one-hour half marathon and a 28-minute 10km, less than two minutes behind the world record.
Following the news of Kiptum’s death, the Kenyan government has posthumously awarded him one of the nation’s highest honours, the Order of the Grand Warrior, the Kenyan equivalent of an OBE.
An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark on the globe.
Kiptum has received condolences from all corners of the sporting world and beyond. In a statement made on X, Kenyan President William Ruto wrote that “Kelvin Kiptum was a star… An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark on the globe.”
Ruto has also ordered the construction of a house on the Kiptum family’s farm in Western Kenya, a project which Kiptum himself had reportedly planned to complete as a gift to his family before his untimely passing, according to his wife. Government engineers and utility companies have rallied together to complete construction of the house in under two weeks, in time for his burial in late February.
Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, also spoke out following the accident, stating that “It was only earlier this week in Chicago… that I was able to officially ratify his historic time. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
