Athletics, Kelvin Kiptum dies at 24: he was the world's fastest marathon runner

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe was one of the first to express his condolences in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. "We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana," Coe wrote. "On behalf of all world athletics we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation," he added.

"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 who leaves an incredible legacy, he will be sorely missed," Coe wrote.

David Rudisha, Kenya's two-time Olympic champion in the 800 metres, wrote on X that he was shocked and deeply saddened by the news. "This is a huge loss," Rudisha wrote. Kiptum had immediate success by running the fastest time ever by a marathon novice at the 2022 Valencia Marathon. The following year he won races in London and Chicago, two of the world's most prestigious marathons. When he was young and new on the circuit, he had already run three of the seven fastest marathons ever recorded.

"Kelvin Kiptum was a star. Probably one of the best sportsmen in the world who broke barriers to secure a record in the marathon. He was only 24 years old and yet, as a hero, he triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and other top competitions'. Thus in a post on his X account, Kenya's President William Samoel Ruto, in remembering the tragically deceased marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum. "His mental strength and discipline were unmatched. Kiptum was our future. An extraordinary sportsman who left an extraordinary mark on the world. Our thoughts are with his family and the sporting community. Rest in peace," he added.