Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, 37, have been each killed within the accident, and a 24-year-old girl recognized as Sharon Kosgey suffered severe accidents and was taken to a close-by hospital, he stated. No different automobiles have been concerned within the crash.
Kiptum made worldwide headlines in October when he gained the Chicago marathon in 2 hours 35 seconds, making him the primary man to run an official race in underneath 2 hours 1 minute, and overtaking fellow Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge’s document. A yr earlier than, Kiptum had by no means raced in a marathon.
“I didn’t know I’d be an awesome marathon runner,” he instructed a reporter after his Chicago victory, describing his ability as one thing that got here naturally.
Nahashon Kibon, a retired runner {and professional} coach in Kenya, instructed The Washington Submit that he had skilled with Kiptum on Saturday.
“I’ll bear in mind him as an awesome man. He was very jovial. We laughed, we talked — he was an excellent man,” he stated. “He was nonetheless younger. It’s unhappy that we misplaced him.”
Kenyan President William Ruto known as Kiptum “a star” and “arguably one of many world’s most interesting sportsmen” in a social media publish.
“He was solely 24 but, as a hero, triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and in different prime competitions,” he stated. “His psychological energy and self-discipline have been unmatched. Kiptum was our future.”
Different outstanding figures, together with two-time Olympic champion runner David Rudisha and the previous prime minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga, shared their shock and disappointment over the athlete’s loss of life.
“Our nation grieves the profound lack of a real hero,” Odinga stated.
Kiptum in April was slated to run the 2024 Rotterdam Marathon within the Netherlands and had stated he was aiming to run the race in underneath two hours. He additionally had his eye on the Paris Olympics this summer season.
“I’ve simply began my coaching, and I hope to go there and do my greatest,” he instructed World Athletics in an interview revealed in December. “Perhaps to beat my time. I feel I attempt every time to push my restrict.”
