Kenyan Marathon long-distance runner, Kevin Kiptum dies in a car accident!

Updated On March 18, 2024 | Published By: shahid | In Career , Death

Kenyan Marathon long-distance runner, Kevin Kiptum is no more. He was just 24 years of age. It was a sad and sudden death of this famous athlete in a road accident.

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Kevin Kiptum and his sudden death

The famous Kenyan Marathon long-distance runner, Kevin Kiptum rose to fame when he broke the Marathon record last year. But it was a short fame for this wonderful athlete. Because he died in a road accident on 11 February 2024 in Kenya. The athlete was only 24 years of age at the time of his death.

The accident took place at 23.00 hours local time in Western Kenya. Kevin was driving the car and his coach, Rwanda’s Gervais Hakizimana and a young woman were also in the car at that time with him. Sharing the tragic news, the local police informed:

“Kevin lost control [of the vehicle] and veered off-road entering into a ditch on his left side.”
“He drove in the ditch for about 60 metres before hitting a big tree,”

Kevin Kiptum’s car that had an accident (Source: BBC news)

Kevin and his coach died on the spot while the third passenger suffered serious injuries and is in hospital undergoing treatment. Kevin’s father Samson Cheruiyot said:

“Kiptum was my only child, now he’s left me,”
“I don’t know what to say, I see his children will be looking to me and my child is gone… Now, who will help us raise his kids?”

Kevin has two children.

Tributes pour in…

Eliud Kipchoge, whose record Kevin broke tweeted that the latter was a rising star who achieved incredible success at such a young age and had a whole life to live ahead of him. Kenya’s President William Ruto referred to Kevin as an extraordinary sportsperson who has left a mark in the world of sports.

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Kevin’s body was taken to the hospital in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret. People gathered around in large numbers to pay homage. One said:

“I don’t know what to say but God, if we have done wrong, God forgive us because Kiptum was headed for great heights.”

Another fan grieved:

“We want to say very sorry to the Kenyans and much more to the family of the departed hero. Very sorry,”

Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba wrote on his X handle:

“Devastatingly sickening!! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words.”

Former PM of Kenya, Raila Odinga offered his condolences on the death of Kevin labeling him as Kenya’s icon. Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics called Kevin as an incredible athlete who has left behind an incredible legacy.

Kevin’s career

Kevin was short of resources to get training and practice for Marathon running. Despite all odds, he made it to the top. His name first rose when he debuted in 2022 and ran the full Marathon. He won the Valencia Marathon and later set a new record at the London Marathon in April 2023. And in his third Marathon run, he broke the world record of the fastest Marathon runner.

Kevin’s tactics was to run with the pack for the first 30 km and after that taking on his own fast speed to finish the game. For his first major competition, he ran on borrowed shoes.

Gervais began coaching Kevin in 2018. He was a retired runner from Rwanda and was just 36 years old.

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