Kenyan world marathon record holder Kiptum dies in Tragic accident.

Kenyan world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum has died in a tragic road accident along Eldoret-Kapsabet Road.

Police in Eldoret say Kiptum was with his Burundian coach Gervais Hakizimana. Both perished in the crash.

World Athletics ratified Kiptum’s marathon record of 2:00.35 set in Chicago last year five days ago.

Former presidential candidate Raila Odinga said it was a “devastating news” to lose the Kenyan athletics icon.

“Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight,” Odinga posted on X.

“My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity. Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”

Kiptum became the first athlete to break 2:01 in a record-eligible marathon, taking 34 seconds off the world record at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 8.

With that performance, Kiptum improved his PB by 50 seconds to surpass the world record of 2:01:09 set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin on 25 September 2022.