World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his Rwandan coach Garvais Hakizimana tragically lost their lives in a road accident on Sunday night in Kaptagat, Rift Valley, as confirmed by Kenyan police.
The fatal accident occurred around 11 pm along the Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine road, with Kiptum losing control of his vehicle while returning from Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County. The car veered off the road into a ditch, ultimately stopping against a tree about 60 meters from the main road. Tragically, both Kiptum and Coach Hakizimana did not survive, while a female passenger, Sharon Kosgey, survived the accident and was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
President William Ruto led the nation in mourning Kiptum, acknowledging the athlete’s remarkable achievements in marathons across the globe and expressing condolences to his family and the sporting community. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe also paid tribute, expressing shock and deep sadness at the loss of Kiptum and his coach, acknowledging the athlete’s incredible legacy.
Kenyan authorities and the global athletics community have been profoundly affected by this tragic incident, mourning the untimely death of a promising athlete who recently set a marathon world record in Chicago. The accident adds a somber note to the recent ratification of Kiptum’s historic time by World Athletics.
