Marathan Star Kelvin Kiptum Dead After Car Crash

In terms of marathons, the fastest man alive, sadly, is dead.

Kelvin Kiptum has the fastest time on record for running a marathon.

Sadly, he was killed recently in a car accident in Kenya.

Gone Too Soon

Kiptum, a Kenyan native, was only 24 years old and had a magnificent future ahead of him.

A marathon race is 26 miles, something that Kiptum managed to run in just over two hours.

Kiptum set his record time at the Chicago Marathon in October, completing the race in two hours, 35 seconds, the first person to have ever eclipsed the two-hour, one-minute mark in a marathon race.

At 24, he still had a few years to improve his form, and there was considerable anticipation that he could do the unthinkable… win a marathon in under two hours (a speed of more than 13 mph on foot).

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe stated, “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.

“On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates, and the Kenyan nation.

“An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”

Last year, Kiptum won the federation’s World Athlete of the Year Award.

According to the reports of his death, Kiptum was in a car that was involved in an accident around 11:00 p.m. local time.

Both he and his running coach, Gervais Hakizimana, were killed in the accident.

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga expressed his sorrow over the loss of Kiptum, posting, “Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, World Record holder and Kenyan athletics icon. Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight.

“My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity. Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”

As someone who has participated in endurance sports, I still cannot fathom someone being able to run that fast for that long.

Rest in peace.