We are deeply saddened by the news that Kelvin Kiptum, along with his coach, Rwanda’s Gervais Hakizimana, has died in a car crash in Kenya. Kiptum broke rival Kipchoge’s marathon record late last year during the Chicago marathon, running the 26.2 in an astonishingly quick time of 2:00:35.

At the tender age of 24, Kiptum had already achieved so much in the sport and the running world was excited to see how much more he could shave off his marathon time as he entered his prime.

It is understood that Kiptum was the driver of the car that lost control and rolled, killing Kiptum and his coach Hakizimana at the scene, with a third individual taken to hospital for treatment.

Kiptum only ran his first marathon in 2022, so to set the record only a year later was an impressive feat. It looked as though the sub two hour marathon was a given for Kiptum considering his previous performances, and it is understood that he was set to attempt the sub two at the Rotterdam marathon on the 13th April 2024.

We’d like to take the opportunity to thank Kiptum for his contributions to the sport, and extend our deepest condolences and prayers to his family, friends, and those closest to him.