Millions Kelvin Kiptum Made In His Marathon Career Before Death
Kenya as well as the sports world is still mourning the death of marathon runner and world record holder Kelvin Kiptum who tragically passed away on Sunday night 11th February, after he was involved in a road accident.
Kiptum has heroically been mourned by top Government leaders including President William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga among other leader as well elite athletes across the World among them Eliud Kipchoge and former Britain marathoner Mo Farah, 800M record holder David Rudisha as well as World Athletics President Sebastian Coe among others stating Kiptum’s death leaves a big gap in Athletics world.
ALSO READ: Marathoner Eliud Kipchoge Mauled Online For Mourning Late Kelvin Kiptum
Yesterday Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Ababu Namwamba visited Kiptum’s family and said the government will work closely with the family of Kelvin Kiptum to give the world marathon record holder a heroic send off, “We are consulting in government. We officially informed the President when this tragic accident immediately occurred and as soon as the consultations are concluded we will be making an official announcement on how we will proceed forward with final respect for him. “Kiptum is a national hero, and we will honour him in death as we honoured him in life.”
READ ALSO: 5 Kenyan Athletes Who Died When Their Careers Were In Prime
Kiptum was only 24 years when he passed away but his legacy in Marathon history will last for centuries, the Kenyan marathoner participated in only three major marathons in his career before meeting his sudden death as he was preparing for his fourth major later this in April. The World record holder made his major marathon debut in 2022 during the Valencia Marathon where he finished in the first place after clocking 2:01:53, going down the books as the fastest debut marathoner in history as it was third fastest marathon time ever behind Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge and Ethiopia long distance runner Kenenisa Bekele.
In 2023, Kiptum participated in two major marathons where all were nothing but pure success. He kicked off 2023 with big win during London Marathon when he ran the then-second-fastest marathon ever after clocking 2:01:25. After the London Marathon success Kiptum started preparing for his best marathon ever where he won the 2023 Chicago Marathon by clocking a world record of 2:00:35, breaking Eliud Kipchoge’s world record he set in Berlin Marathon where he clocked 2:o1:09.
QUICK READ: Ni Mtoto Wangu Pekee:Kelvin Kiptum’s Father Speaks After Son’s Death
Following this success in the three major marathons, Kiptum also bagged some good money for winning these marathons. By winning Valencia marathon, he took home $80, 000 (Ksh. 12,440,000). At the London Marathon, he earned himself $55,000 (Ksh. 8,552,500) as well as bonuses according to the Independent. After breaking Kipchoge’s record and setting new world record in October 2023 during Chicago marathon Kiptum bagged a total of $150,000 (Ksh. 23,325,000).
About The Author
