World marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum has died at the age of 24, it's been announced by Kenya's former prime minister.
Kenyan runner Milcah Chemos went to the hospital where Kiptum's body was taken too, along with Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana.
Kiptum was said to have been travelling in a vehicle with his coach Gervais Hakizimana on a road near the town of Eldoret at 11pm local time.
The area where the crash happened was in the heart of a high-altitude region where long-distance runners regularly train.
Kelvin Kiptum has died in a car crash
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Kiptum smashed the previous world record held by fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge last October when he clocked 2:00.35 in Chicago.
That came just a few months after he won the London Marathon in a course record time of 2:01.25.
He would have been the strong favourite to win gold at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Kenya's former prime minister Raila Odinga said on X: "Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, World Record holder and Kenyan athletics icon.
"Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight.
"My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity.
"Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero."
World Athletics president Seb Coe said: "We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
"On behalf of all World Athletics we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.
Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, World Record holder and Kenyan athletics icon. Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/1Dmgyyhsk4
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) February 11, 2024
"It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon world record, that I was able to officially ratify his historic time.
"An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly."
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Kelvin Kiptum broke the world record in October
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Having come so close to breaking the two-hour barrier in Chicago, Kiptum announced in December that he would be attempting to break the record in April at the Rotterdam Marathon.
"It's already known, the Rotterdam Marathon on April 14," Kiptum said last year.
"I would like to grow further, and so, inevitably, break the barrier."
