The global athletics community is in mourning following the tragic death of Kelvin Kiptum . The athlete, who seemed destined to be the first man to break the two-hour marathon barrier, lost his life in a devastating car accident along with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. This young runner, just 24 years old, was already a world-renowned marathoner. With only three marathons under his belt, he had already left an indelible mark in the three he had completed to date.
Despite his short career, his 3 marathons are among the 7 fastest in history and at 365Rider we want to pay tribute to the athlete by remembering his career, which will go down in history.
Valencia Marathon Debut 2022
From his debut in the Valencia Marathon in December 2022, he made it clear that he was going to be a man who would make marathon history. In fact, that day he set the fastest time ever for a marathon debutant with 2:01:53 . Only the legendary Eliud Kipchoge and another legend like Bekele had a better time at that time.
What was impressive about Kelvin Kiptum was the way he ran marathons. He ran them in negative, that is, his second half was faster than the first. That gave him an image of power and strength that was impressive on the screen. Although his technique was not the most refined, just as Eliud Kipchoge could be seen floating across the asphalt, Kiptum was rougher, and gave a sensation of continuous sprinting. A sprint that kept 42 kilometers clear.
London Marathon 2023, star confirmed
His next marathon was in London in 2023, where he continued to improve his mark with 2:01:25. Him winning his first Major in what seemed like it would be the first of many. He was already 16 seconds away from the world record.
What also caught Kelvin Kiptum's attention was his training methodology. A training model that was no longer used by the big marathon stars and that consisted of a large amount of volume and lower intensity. Kiptum weeks were around 250km and could reach 300km. Other distance super stars were around 180-200km.
Chicago and a record for history
With his third and final marathon, he broke the world record for the distance. It was in Chicago, this time stopping the clock at 2:00:35 . A marathon that was anything but easy on its course and also famous for the strong winds along the route. Kiptum did it again, running a negative wind and displaying tremendous strength as he crossed the finish line. Those images will forever be etched in history, where he seemed to be motivating the pacers, as if telling them to pick up the pace because he had more energy left.
With everything that it meant to break the marathon record of a legend like Eliud Kipchoge, the news almost seemed to be different. For the first time we saw a human being able to go under 2 hours in a commercial marathon. It seemed like it was his destiny, and it didn't seem like it would take him long to achieve it.
This 2024 had two well-marked objectives on its calendar. First, the Rotterdam marathon in April, where records were broken long ago. The entire world of athletics had that date marked, April 14, 2024. Kiptum could make history and break that barrier and write his name in history. He was not hiding and those around him indicated that his preparation was focused on that.
The other big date was the Paris Olympics marathon. There he would face his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge, in what would be a duel for history.
Now when those two dates arrive, all of us runners will feel like today again, empty and sad, for what could have been and in the end was deprived. His legacy, although brief, is a source of inspiration for future generations of athletes, reminding us of the importance of pursuing our dreams with passion and determination, no matter the obstacles.
The tragic accident that took the lives of Kiptum and his trainer serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of life. As the athletic community mourns his passing, it also celebrates his life and the moments of joy he shared with the world through his incredible talent. Kiptum will be remembered not only for what he accomplished on the asphalt, but also for the tireless spirit he demonstrated at every step of his short, but significant career. His dream of breaking the two-hour marathon barrier will live on in the hearts of those who continue to run, inspired by his legacy.
Remember to visit our blog Magazine 365Rider for more news, reviews and tips or at 365Rider to find the best running, cycling and swimming products.