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The sporting world is reeling after the sudden death of Kenyan marathon great Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Garvais Hakizimana, in a road accident on Sunday night.
Kiptum, 24, was the reigning world marathon record holder, having shattered the mark with a stunning 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023. The tragedy, confirmed by Elgeyo Marakwet police and the Abbott World Marathon Majors, struck at approximately 11pm local time in the Kaptagat area. Both Kiptum and Hakizimana succumbed to the impact of the single-vehicle crash.
Kiptum’s rise to stardom was meteoric. In 2022, he announced his arrival with the fastest marathon debut ever recorded in Valencia. The following year, he conquered the London Marathon with a course record of 2:01:25. But it was his Chicago triumph that etched his name in history. His record-breaking run, 34 seconds faster than compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s previous mark, made him the first man to break the 2:01 barrier in a ratified race.
Just last week, the world athletics governing body, World Athletics, officially ratified Kiptum’s record. He was poised to start his new season at the Rotterdam Marathon in April and was part of the Kenyan team for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The news of his passing sent shockwaves through the athletics community. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe expressed his grief on X: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
President William Ruto led the nation in mourning the athlete. In his post on X, Ruto said: “Kiptum was arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record. His mental strength and discipline were unmatched. Kiptum was our future.”
Opposition chief Raila Odinga mourned Kiptum as an “athletic icon”. “Our nation grieves profound loss of a true hero,” Odinga said.
Kiptum will be laid to rest on Saturday, February 24th, at his family home in Kaptagat.
The announcement came on Wednesday from Kiptum’s family, who confirmed the formation of a funeral committee to oversee arrangements and keep the public informed. Authorities conducted a post-mortem examination on Hakizimana’s body on Wednesday, witnessed by his family and Kiptum’s widow. The results remain undisclosed at the family’s request.
As the community mourns, preparations for Kiptum’s final farewell are underway. A fundraiser in his honor will be held Saturday, February 17th at his Chepsamoo village home.
Meanwhile, calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident continue to grow. Former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa urged authorities to conduct a comprehensive probe to ensure future tragedies can be prevented.
The police Wednesday arrested three men in connection with their alleged visit to the home of Kiptum days before his tragic death.
According to local media reports, the individuals were detained on Wednesday morning and are currently being held at the Iten police station. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are expected to question them thoroughly.
On February 11th Kiptum, 24, lost his life while driving from Kaptagat to Eldoret in the Rift Valley. His vehicle veered off the road and collided with a tree, instantly killing both him and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
The Kenyan government has pledged to honor Kiptum with a hero’s send-off, acknowledging his exceptional talent and contribution to the world of athletics.
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