'Incredible legacy': World's greatest athletes eulogise Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum

Tributes poured in on Monday for Kenyan running sensation Kelvin Kiptum after the marathon world record-holder was killed in a car crash at the age of 24.

The death of Kiptum, favourite for the marathon at the Paris Olympics later this year, has shocked Kenya and the world of athletics.

As top athletes joined Kenyan politicians and the public in paying tribute to him, tearful mourners gathered at the family home in the village of Chepsamo, consoling his father Samson Cheruiyot and his wife Asenath Rotich.

Kenyan athlete Kelvin Kiptum. (Photo: File/ AFP)

"Incredible greatness"

In his condolence message, long distance runner Eliud Kipchoge, regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time, said he was "deeply saddened" by the death of the "rising star" who shattered his record.

"An athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness," Kipchoge said on X.

Kiptum and the 39-year-old Kipchoge were expected to run together for the first time at the Paris Olympics.

"We had been looking forward to welcoming him into the Olympic community at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and seeing what the fastest marathon runner in the world could achieve," International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said on X.

Kenya's National Olympic Committee President Paul Tergat said on X that Kiptum's record "showcased his potential for a bright future, representing the next generation of Olympic greatness".

Middle-distance runner David Rudisha said, "I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hazikimana. My condolences to the families, friends, athletic fraternity and Kenya at large. This is a huge loss."

"Most exciting prospect"

Faith Kipyegon, Kenya's current 1,500m world record holder, left a wordless tribute on X: three crying emojis and a Kenyan flag.

Multiple Olympic, world and European champion Mo Farah posted his message on X, which said, "I'm so sad to hear of the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach. Kelvin was an amazingly talented athlete and had already achieved so much. He truly had a special talent and I have no doubt he would have gone on to have had an indelible career. I send all my sympathies and condolences to his family and friends and this tragic time."

World Athletics said Kiptum's Valencia debut was the fastest in history and mourned the loss of "one of the most exciting new prospects to emerge in road running in recent years".

"An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly," said its President Sebastian Coe, who only last week had been in Chicago to officially ratify Kiptum's historic time.

Ugandan long-distance champion Joshua Chepteget also posted on X.

"I am so heartbroken and shocked to learn of the saddening news of the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana. My condolences to both families, friends and all the athletic fans around the globe," he said.

English broadcaster Piers Morgan said, "Incredibly shocking and saddening news that superstar Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum, who recently smashed the world marathon record, was tipped to break the two-hour barrier, and due for epic Paris Olympics showdown with Eliud Kipchoge, has been killed in a car crash aged just 24. RIP."

Dream unfulfilled

Ten years ago, barely a teen, Kiptum herded goats and sheep and then began following Hakizimana and other runners as they trained in the legendary high-altitude region.

By 2019, he had run two half-marathons in two weeks in Europe. He began training with Hakizimana, who stayed in Kenya when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

Kiptum had announced he would attempt in April to become the first man to run an official marathon under the mythic two-hour mark.

He burst onto the marathon scene when he ran a world record 2:00:35 in Chicago in October, slicing 34 seconds off Kipchoge's previous record. He was just 23 at the time, and competing in only his third marathon.

Kiptum also won his other two efforts -- his debut in Valencia in 2022 and a follow-up in London the following year.

Additional reporting by AFP