Kelvin Kiptum: Epitome of resilience robbed by accident whose marathon legacy will inspire generations

Kenya has had to contend with high-profile athletes’ deaths in 2024 but ‘s demise remains a haunting memory for the global athletics community.

The athletics fraternity was left in a shock after Kiptum, the world marathon record holder, perished in a tragic road accident on February 11, putting his budding athletics career to a premature end.

Ednah Awuor, the mother of the late marathoner Kelvin Kiptum’s daughter, has clapped back at online critics over her actions.

While the excitement of Kiptum teaming up with marathon great at the was lauded as formidable at the start of 2024, his dreams were shuttered and Kenya’s dominance in the 42km race took a fatal blow in the French capital.

The 24-year-old holds the marathon world record while also boasting of three of the seven fastest marathons in history. This achievement saw him ranked first among the world’s men’s marathon runners at the time of his death.

Top of his achievements, he broke Eliud Kipchoge’s revered marathon record with a time of 2:00:35 at the in October 2023. Kiptum won all three marathons he ran between December 2022 and October 2023.

Despite their son being a millionaire before his tragic death, Kelvin Kiptum’s parents are now living in hardship, calling for help as they face poverty and unfulfilled promises nine months later.

Little-known Kiptum’s rise began at the , where he ran the fastest-ever marathon debut, crossing the finish line in 2:01:53, becoming only the third man in history to break two hours and two minutes barrier. His feat set the fourth-fastest time ever recorded at the time.

In April 2023, Kiptum set the course record at the (2:01:25), only 16 seconds slower than the world record at the time and 72 seconds faster than Kipchoge’s course record (2:02:37). While he was tipped to be the next big thing in marathon, Kiptum’s untimely passing, alongside his Rwandan coach Gervais Hazikimana, occurred just days after his world record was ratified by World Athletics.

Kiptum had already cemented his status for his achievement and the generational talent was set to rule road running. “Kelvin would have written more epic chapters in the illustrious history of Kenyan and world athletics,” World Athletics president said in his Eulogy. Other dignitaries, including President William Ruto paid tribute to the hero.

Kiptum is the epitome of excellence, resilience and a symbol of hope and his story will forever inspire the world and current and future generations.