Shock over the death of marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum: the details of the accident, the father’s suspicions and the pain of athletics legends

The shock and sadness don’t stop in the world of Athletics for the tragic death of the Kenyan Kelvin Kiptummarathon world record holder, who together with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, died in a car accident that occurred on Sunday on a road in Kenya while the athlete was driving. The 24-year-old phenomenon, married and father of two children, died near the town of Kaptagar, in the Rift Valley, his region of origin and where he trained try reducing the two hours at the Rotterdam Marathon in April.

“The two (deceased) are Kiptum and his coach,” said Peter Mulinge, police commander of Elegeyo Marakwet county in western Kenya. “It was Kiptum who was driving towards Eldoret when he lost control and two members of the car died at the scene. “One passenger was injured and was rushed to hospital,” he added.

According to the police report seen by AFP, Kiptum “lost control (of the car) and went off the road”, rolling “for about 60 meters before hitting a large tree”. the windshield collapsed and the roof was completely deformed by the impact.

The athlete’s father asked the Kenyan government Investigate the circumstances surrounding your child’s death. “There were some people who came a few days ago looking for Kiptum, but they refused to identify themselves. I asked them to show me ID, but… they chose to leave“said Samson Cheruiyot.

Kiptum had set a new world record in the 42.195 kilometer race in October last year, when he won the Chicago Marathon with 2h00m35. With that impressive score, he broke the record of his compatriot and two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge it was set for Berlin 2022 with 2h01m09.

He was now in the preparation phase for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he would try to beat former world record holder Kipchoge. His compatriot showed “deeply sad” for the death of Kiptum, “an athlete with his whole life ahead of him to achieve excellence”, as he expressed it.

In Kenya everything is sadness. President William Ruto, described Kiptum as “an extraordinary athlete” who has made a mark on the world. “Perhaps one of the best athletes who broke barriers to achieve a marathon record. It was our future“Ruto described it.

Sebastiano Coe, president of World Athletics, said he was “shocked and saddened to learn of this devastating loss.” In addition to sending condolences to family, friends, colleagues and Kenya, he assured: “He was an incredible athlete who leaves an incredible legacy. “He will be greatly missed.” AND Thomas Bachpresident of the International Olympic Committee, added to the memory: “We were looking forward to welcoming him into the Olympic community at the Paris 2024 Games and seeing what the fastest marathon runner was capable of.”

The father’s complaint

Coach Hakizimana, originally from Rwanda, was a runner who trained for years in Kenya, where he met Kiptum in the town of Chepkorio. And in that village of the Kiptum family several inhabitants came to comfort the widow, Asenath Rotich, and her father, who wants a thorough investigation.

“Kiptum was my only son. He left me, his mother and his children. “I am deeply saddened,” Cheruiyot said. Excited, he noted that his son had assured him the last time they spoke that he was feeling well and that he was ready to break the marathon record again, surpassing the two-hour mark.

“He told me that someone will come and help us build a house. She said that her body is now fit and that she can now run to reach an hour and 59 seconds,” she revealed again in the present tense. “I received the news of my son’s death while watching the news. I went to the accident site, but the police had taken the body to Eldoret,” Cheruiyot recalled.

The governor of the Kenyan county of Uasin Gishu, where the accident occurred, Jonathan Bii, joined the athlete’s father’s petition. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kiptum and ask the police to speed up the investigation so we can know what caused the accident,” he said.

The athlete’s body was transferred from the Race Course Hospital morgue, where dozens of athletes and acquaintances came to say goodbye to their friend, to the Eldoret Hospital morgue.

Other repercussions

Numerous athletes with world and Olympic titles and world record holders joined the international dismay over Kiptum’s death.

David Rudisha, a two-time Kenyan Olympic 800 meters champion, described Kiptum’s death as “a huge loss” and Athletics Kenya sent its condolences “to the entire athletics community at this difficult time”.

The Kenyan Faith Kipyegon, world record holder for 1,500 and 5,000 metres, wrote on Instagram: “You will be missed by all members of the sporting community. Rest in peace.” The Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei, world record holder in the 5,000m and 10,000m, said: “I am heartbroken to hear the sad news of the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana. My condolences to their families, their friends and to all athletics fans around the world.”

two more cracks of athletics expressed themselves with equal regret. The Dutch Sifan Hassan, winner of the Chicago and London marathons in 2023, wrote: “I am deeply saddened and saddened by the news of the death yesterday of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach. My thoughts go out to his family, friends and fans.” and the English Mo Farahmultiple world and Olympic champion in the 5,000 and 10,000, posted: “Kelvin was an incredibly talented athlete and had already achieved many things. He had a truly particular talent and I am convinced that he would have had an incredible career.”.