The world athletics community wakes up in mourning after the tragic news of the death of Kelvin Kiptum. The athlete who seemed destined to be the first man to go under 2 hours in a marathon, lost his life in a devastating traffic accident along with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. This young runner, only 24 years old, was already the world reference in the marathon. With only 3 marathons under his belt he had already left an indelible mark in the three marathons he had completed to date.
Despite his short career, his 3 marathons are among the 7 fastest in history and from 365Rider we want to honor the athlete by remembering his career, which will go down in history.
Valencia Marathon Debut 2022
Since his debut in the Valencia marathon in December 2022, he already made it clear that he was going to be a man who was going to mark the history of the marathon. Without going any further, that day he did the fastest time of a debutant in marathon with 2:01:53. Only then the legendary Eliud Kipchoge and another legend like Wait They had better time than him.
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 last marathon came the world record for the distance, it was in Chicago, this time he stopped the clock in 2:00:35. A marathon that is not at all easy in its circuit and also famous for the strong wind along its route. Kiptum did it again, he ran in the negative and showed enormous strength when he reached the finish line. Those images will remain in history where he seemed to motivate the pacers, and he seemed to tell them to increase the pace because he had more gas.
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 advice or at 365Rider to find the best running, cycling and swimming products.