Kelvin Kiptum’s Close Friend Hillary Kipchumba Reveals How Kiptum Almost Gave Up
The late Kelvin Kiptum’s close friend and teammate Hillary Kipchumba who used to train with Kiptum reveals how the departed legend was almost giving up in participating in the Chicago Marathon where he made history by breaking the marathon world record after clocking 2:00:35.
Speaking to the Nation, Hillary Kipchumba, revealed how the fallen world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum almost cancelled the Chicago Marathon with just three weeks remaining to the event. However, through his coach Gervais Hakizimana encouragement, he made to participate in the marathon and broke the world record.
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The Chicago marathon was held on 8th October 2023 where Kiptum won.Hillary Kipchumba and Kiptum met during Eldoret Half marathon back in 2018 where they formed a lasting friendship before it was cut short by tragic accident that claimed Kiptum’s life. In an interview with the Nation, Kipchumba said, “I met Kiptum in 2018 when he won the Family Bank Half Marathon. I took his number because I finished sixth and I wanted him to alert me when the payments are what he actually did.”
Kipchumba went on to explain how Kiptum almost quit participating in Chicago Marathon with only three weeks to go, “Three weeks to Chicago Marathon, his body couldn’t respond any longer and he could not finish the training programme. He would train until certain points and stop… he asked his coach to cancel the race but the coach told him to train until the last week so that they could contact the race director and thankfully, he adjusted to training once again.” Kipchumba told Nation.
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Kiptum, was laid to rest in his Naiberi home in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Friday 23rd February. He was gearing up for more records as he had confirmed to participate in Rotterdam marathon on April 13th this year before tragically passing on alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana in a road accident along Eldoret-Kaptagat road on Sunday 11th February 2024.
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