The world of athletics mourn Kenyan marathon sensation, 24 years old Kelvin Kiptum, an emerging superstar; marathon world record holder and a very exciting prospect, who died Sunday evening in a car crash.
The sad occurrence happened around 11 pm near the town of Kaptagat. This is in western region of Kenya, famed for being a training terrain for distance runners because of its high altitudes. It was a lone car accident and Kiptum drove the ill-fated car, dying instantly with his Rwandan coach when the car veered off the road and crashed into a tree in a ditch.
A long time friend of Kiptum, Kenneth Kimaiyo told the press he arrived at the accident spot as soon as he heard of it. He said Kiptum had been thrown out of the badly mangled car upon impact.
Kiptum was seen as a super Star of long distance running in the making. At 24, he had broken the world record set by another Kenyan after just three appearances on the long distance running circuits.
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Several reactions have poured in from personal and institutional social media handles. For many Kenyans, this is yet, another of their promising, top athletes lost to road accidents or other forms of violent deaths.
William Ruto, president of the East African country described the late athlete as the future of his country.
In a presidential condolence statement, Ruto stated: “He was only 24…His mental strength and discipline were unmatched. Kiptum was our future”.
Former women’s steeplechase world champion, Milcah Chemos broke down in tears, speaking to a section of Kenyan press. ” I have no words to explain the loss of Kelvin” she was quoted to have said.
Another Kenyan Marathon sensation, an Olympic champion, Eliud Kipchoge wrote a tribute message describing Kiptum as: ” An athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness”
The long distance running at the Paris Olympic this year was expected to be a straight competition between Eliud Kipchoge and Kiptum for the event gold medal.
Several outpouring of emotions, tributes and condolences flooded X. Kenya’s 800 meters Olympic gold medalist, David Rudisha described Kiptum’ s death as “a huge loss” and president of the World Athletics, Sebastian Coe express shock at the death of the promising athlete. “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” Seb Coe posted on X.
Kiptum, a father of two, lived a simple village life with his wife, Asenath Cheruto Rotich.
He was a prodigy, his progressive rise to world marathon stardom from barefoot cattle herding thrilled the world; but all these, all the accolades, won and yet to be won, fades away in the manner of a mirage, right before his small family, like a premature sunset.
