Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach die in automobile crash in Kenya

Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach died in a automobile crash in Kenya late Sunday, a fellow athlete who went to the hospital and noticed Kiptum’s physique stated.

Kiptum was 24 and on track to be a famous person of long-distance operating.

Kiptum and his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana have been killed within the crash at round 11 p.m., stated Kenyan runner Milcah Chemos, who was on the hospital the place the our bodies have been taken.

The crash occurred on a street between the cities of Eldoret and Kaptagat in western Kenya, she stated, within the coronary heart of the high-altitude area that is famend as a coaching base for lengthy distance runners.

Chemos stated she was amongst a bunch of athletes who had gone to the hospital in Eldoret after listening to the information of the crash. Members of the family of Kiptum have been additionally with them to determine his physique, Chemos stated.

Kenyan media reported {that a} third individual, a lady, was within the automobile and was taken to the identical hospital with critical accidents.

Kiptum’s report was ratified by worldwide observe federation World Athletics final week.

Kenyan athletics federation president Jackson Tuwei stated he had despatched a workforce of officers to the realm after being knowledgeable of the late-night accident.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe was one of many first to supply his condolences in a press release on X, previously Twitter.

“We’re shocked and deeply saddened to be taught of the devastating lack of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” Coe wrote. “On behalf of all World Athletics we ship our deepest condolences to their households, pals, teammates and the Kenyan nation.”

“It was solely earlier this week in Chicago, the place the place Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon World Document, that I used to be in a position to formally ratify his historic time. An unbelievable athlete leaving an unbelievable legacy, we are going to miss him dearly,” Coe wrote.