By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-02-12 08:40:25
Tributes came pouring in on Monday for the late Kenyan running sensation Ken Kiptum, who tragically passed away in a car crash at the age of 24. Kiptum, the favorite for the Paris 2024 Olympics, was driving from Kaptagat to Eldoret in the Rift Valley of western Kenya at approximately 11 pm (2000 GMT) on Sunday when his car veered off the road and collided with a tree. The accident resulted in the fatalities of Kiptum, who was a father of two, and his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana, while a female passenger named Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei suffered serious injuries.
Authorities reported that Kiptum lost control of his vehicle, entered a ditch on the left side of the road, and drove for about 60 meters (yards) before hitting a large tree. The aftermath of the collision left the vehicle severely damaged, with the windscreen shattered and the roof and doors buckled and almost ripped off.
Kiptum made a significant impact on the marathon scene when he set a world record time of 2:00:35 in Chicago in October, cutting 34 seconds off fellow Kenyan star Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record. He made the record-breaking run at the age of 23, in just his third marathon. Additionally, Kiptum had been victorious in his two previous marathon attempts, which included his debut in Valencia in 2022 and a subsequent race in London the following year.
The news of Kiptum’s passing elicited responses from various individuals and organizations. Kenyan President William Ruto described him as “our future” and “an extraordinary sportsman,” acknowledging his historic accomplishment in securing the marathon record. World Athletics also expressed its shock and sorrow at Kiptum’s tragic death, recognizing him as one of the most promising new talents in road running in recent years.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, who was in Chicago to officially ratify Kiptum’s historic time just a week prior to the tragic incident, described the athlete as “an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy,” and mourned his loss. Another notable figure, Faith Kipyegon, who has set world records in the 1500m and the 5,000m, left a silent yet poignant tribute in the form of three crying emojis.
Nearly a decade ago, Kiptum was herding goats, and he had previously announced his intention to become the first man to run an official marathon under the elusive two-hour mark in April. His untimely death has left a void in the athletic community, with many lamenting the loss of a remarkable talent and the potential he had to achieve even greater feats in the future.
