Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum, the world record holder in the marathon, will be posthumously honored at the upcoming London Marathon on Sunday.
Tragically, the 24-year-old athlete, along with his coach, Rwanda’s Gervais Hakizimana, lost their lives in a fatal car accident in western Kenya this past February. Despite this heartbreaking loss, Kiptum’s remarkable achievements and spirit will be celebrated during the event.
Kiptum had been poised to defend his title at this year’s London Marathon, where he aimed to secure his second consecutive victory. Event director Hugh Brasher expressed plans for a special tribute to Kiptum, emphasizing the significance of honoring his legacy.
“We will be celebrating him,” Brasher remarked in an interview Today. “And we will be saying some words beforehand and asking all the participants to participate in 30 seconds of applause for Kelvin – for the life that we didn’t know, for the man that we didn’t know, but also for what he had achieved, for the man that he was and for the tragic passing of his life earlier this year.”
Kiptum’s extraordinary talent shone brightly in his brief yet illustrious career. He set records in all three marathons he participated in, including a course record at the previous London Marathon. Notably, he etched his name in history by clocking the fastest marathon time ever recorded in Chicago, with an astonishing time of 2:00:35. Additionally, Kiptum made waves by achieving the fastest debut marathon time in Valencia.
Last Sunday, the Rotterdam Marathon also paid homage to Kiptum, with participants, including his wife Asenath Rotich, observing a poignant minute of silence in his honor.
Kelvin Kiptum’s journey from humble beginnings to global acclaim serves as a testament to his indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication to his craft. Though his time on earth was tragically cut short, his legacy will continue to inspire generations of athletes worldwide.
