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Kenyan athlete and marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum has died, aged 24 years old.
Kiptum, who broke the world marathon record at the Chicago Marathon last October, succumbed to his untimely death following a car accident in Kaptagat on Sunday evening.
According to a police report, the 24-year-old lost control of his vehicle at around 11pm last night and, along with his coach Gervais Hakizimana, was declared dead on the scene.
A third passenger was also reportedly rused to a nearby hospital.
Kiptum’s world record of 2hr 0min 35sec, which took 34 seconds off previous holder Eliud Kipchoge’s mark, was ratified by World Athletics just last week.
The Kenyan just recently announced his intention to become the first athlete to break the 2hr mark at the upcoming Rotterdam Marathon in April.
The country's prime minister Raila Odinga expressed his shock on X, describing the young runner as a "true hero".
"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. Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe added: "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.
"It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon World Record, that I was able to officially ratify his historic time. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly."
