Shock as promising Kenyan runner dies in the US
Kenyan middle-distance runner Eliud Kipsang, who once held a US university athletics record in the 1,500 metres, has died at the age of 28. Kipsang passed away in Washington, USA, after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Promising Kenyan middle-distance runner Eliud Kipsang has died at the age of 28 while living and training in the United States.
Kipsang passed away on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, after suffering a cardiac arrest. The athlete had fallen ill on Friday, 6 June, and was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Washington, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. He remained in critical condition for four days before he was pronounced dead.
Kipsang had been living in Alabama, USA, where he had moved for studies and athletics. He became well known while competing for the University of Alabama, where he represented the school in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships. In 2022, Kipsang made headlines after setting an NCAA record in the 1,500 metres with a time of 3:33.74. His record stood until earlier this year, when it was broken by Villanova’s Liam Murphy.
After completing his studies, Kipsang turned professional and signed with global sportswear brand Adidas. He was widely seen as one of the rising stars in Kenya’s middle-distance running, with personal bests of 1:46.99 in the 800 metres and 3:54.36 in the mile (1,609 metres).
Kipsang had continued to train in the US as he prepared to build his career at the international level.
Other Topics To Read
Top Stories Today
