Was behind the wheel: Marathon world record holder Kiptum died in a car accident

class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 iQNQmc”>

Kiptum was behind the wheel of the car that left the road in Kaptaget in Kenya’s southwestern highlands – a region where many Kenyan long-distance runners train – around 11pm local time. Kenyan media reported the death, citing police and the family. The AP news agency also reported the death, citing an athlete friend.

Also in the vehicle were Kiptum trainer Garvais Hakizimana from Rwanda and a supervisor. Hakizimana also died in the accident and the woman was seriously injured, according to police. No other vehicles were involved.

According to initial investigations, Kiptum lost control of the vehicle, left the road and collided with a tree before the car ended up in a ditch 60 meters away, the Daily Nation newspaper quoted police representative Peter Mulinge as saying.

Athletics world shocked

World Athletics Association president Sebastian Coe said he was “shocked and deeply saddened”. “An incredible athlete leaves an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly,” the Briton (67) wrote on X.

Kiptum won the Chicago Marathon more than four months ago in a world record time of 2:00:35 hours. He beat Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record by 34 seconds and became the first person to run an official marathon under 2:01:00. Kiptum had only completed his third marathon. According to the world association, he started running at the age of 13.

Kiptum set an unofficial debut world record of 2:01:53 hours in Valencia in December 2022, before sensationally winning the London Marathon in 2:01:25 hours. The wonder runner immediately announced that he wanted to challenge the world record. He achieved this on October 8 in Chicago. (SDA/kes)

Source : Blick