Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga paid tribute to marathon World Record breaker Kelvin Kiptum, who died along with his coach Gervais Hakizimana, in a road accident on Sunday.
The news that Kiptum had passed away following a traffic accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat road in the southwest of Kenya was confirmed by the country’s Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba.
The 24-year-old runner shattered the men’s marathon world record in Chicago back in October, winning the Chicago marathon in two hours and 35 seconds to beat compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s previous mark by more than 30 seconds.
Kiptum was the only person to ever run the marathon under two hours and one minute in a record-eligible race.
He ran three of the seven fastest marathons in history and was the heavy favourite for the Olympic marathon gold in Paris this summer.
In a statement Prime Minister Odinga wrote: “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.”
