Kelvin Kiptum

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Kelvin Kiptum
Kiptum at the 2023 London Marathon
Personal information
Full nameKelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot
Born(1999-12-02)2 December 1999
Chepsamo, Chepkorio, Kenya
Died11 February 2024(2024-02-11) (aged 24)
near Kaptagat, Kenya
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Weight65 kg (143 lb)[1]
SpouseAsenath Cheruto Rotich
Children2
Sport
CountryKenya
SportAthletics
EventLong-distance running
Coached byGervais Hakizimana (2023–2024)[2][3]
Achievements and titles
Highest world ranking1st (Marathon, 2023)[4]
Personal best
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Kenya
World Marathon Majors
Gold medal – first place 2023 London Marathon
Gold medal – first place 2023 Chicago Marathon

Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot (2 December 1999 – 11 February 2024) was a Kenyan long-distance runner and the marathon world record holder when he died. He ran three of the seven fastest marathons in history[5] and was ranked first among the world's men's marathon runners.[6]

Kiptum won all three marathons he ran, including two top-tier World Marathon Majors (WMM) between December 2022 and October 2023. His times were three of the seven fastest marathon times,[7] setting a course record of less than 2 hours 2 minutes in each race.

Kiptum ran the fastest-ever marathon debut at the 2022 Valencia Marathon, becoming only the third man in history to break two hours and two minutes and setting the then fourth-quickest time ever.[8] He followed it up four months later with the second-fastest marathon in history at 2:01:25, 16 seconds outside the world record, at the 2023 London Marathon (WMM).[9] At the 2023 Chicago Marathon six months later in October 2023, he broke the world record by 34 seconds with a time of 2:00:35, a mark ratified on 6 February 2024—five days before his death—by the international track federation World Athletics.[10]

Early life

According to World Athletics, Kelvin Kiptum was born on 2 December 1999 – however, LetsRun.com reported that Kiptum once said he was born in 1996, noting that he had a 7-year-old son at the time of his death.[11][12] He grew up in Chepsamo village, Chepkorio, a high-altitude (~2,600 m) area in Elgeyo-Marakwet County of Kenya's Rift Valley. It is located some 30 km east of Eldoret, on the southeastern border of the Kaptagat forest, and just near the edge of the meridional Elgeyo (Keiyo) escarpment to the east, which rapidly gives way to the lower Kerio Valley (800–1,200 m). Together with nearby counties of Kenya, the region is known as the birthplace of many renowned Kenyan runners and also as a mecca for foreign runners.[citation needed]

He was the only child of Samson Cheruiyot and his wife.[13] As a young boy, he herded his family's cattle and began following other barefoot runners along the forest trails. Kiptum started training around 2013 when he was 13 years old.[14][15]

Career

In 2013, at the age of 13, Kiptum participated in his first half marathon, the Family Bank Eldoret Half Marathon in his native Kenya, finishing 10th; he placed 12th the following year.[16] In 2018, the teenager took his first victory, winning this race with a time of 62:01.[11][16] He was self-coached at the time.[9] In March 2019, Kiptum debuted on the international stage at the Lisbon Half Marathon in Portugal, finishing fifth with a new personal best of 59:54. He participated also in six other races that year touring north and west Europe,[11] and winning the Kass Half Marathon in his home country of Kenya in November 2019.[17] In 2020, Kiptum started working with Rwandan 3000 metres steeplechase record holder Gervais Hakizimana as a coach, although Kiptum supposedly had periodically trained alongside other youths with him since 2013.[9][2][3] Since about 2020, he was already preparing for the marathon.[14] In December of that year, the then-21-year-old set a significant personal best in the Spanish Valencia Half Marathon marathon at 58:42, placing sixth. In 2021, he ran 59:35 and 59:02 half marathons in Lens, Pas-de-Calais (placing first) and Valencia again (placing eighth), respectively.[11]

2022: The third man ever to break 2:02 in the marathon

In December, 23-year-old Kiptum pulled off an upset when debuting in the classic 42.195 km distance at the Valencia Marathon. Running with a negative split, he took the victory with the fourth-fastest time of 2:01:53, becoming the third man in history to break two hours and two minutes. Only his compatriot and then-world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele had run faster up to that point. Kiptum set the quickest second half in marathon history with a time of 60:15 (including 14:00 from 30–35k and 28:05 between 30–40k). His winning time was by far the fastest marathon debut in history, smashing the course record by over a minute. He also beat the runner-up by more than a minute and the 2022 world marathon champion Tamirat Tola, the pre-race favorite, among others.[8][18][19]

2023: Second-best ever followed by world record performances

Setting the world record at the Chicago Marathon in 2023

In his following race, a debut in a World Marathon Major at the London Marathon in April, Kiptum triumphed decisively in rainy conditions with the second-fastest mark in history at 2:01:25, a course record which was only 16 seconds outside the world record. Achieving a negative split again, with the 61:40 first half of the race, he broke from the field after the 30 km mark and completed the final half in 59:45—the fastest half marathon in a full marathon race ever up to that point (coupled with a record 13:49 from 30 to 35K at a swift 2:45.8 min/km pace = 21.71 km/h for a total of 27:50 between 30 and 40K).[20] He beat second-place compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor, who came from the same village and had inspired young Kiptum to athletics, by nearly three minutes and Kipchoge's course record of 2:02:37 by more than a minute.[9][21][22]

In his following race, being his third marathon and a second World Marathon Major at the Chicago Marathon on 8 October and still aged 23, Kiptum set a new world record with a time of two hours and 35 seconds, slicing 34 seconds off Kipchoge's standard set at the 2022 Berlin Marathon and obliterating the course record by more than three minutes. Kiptum negative split again, but this time the first half was covered in 60:48, almost a minute faster than his performance in London (though still 14 seconds behind the world record pace), and he had the stamina to run his second half at 59:47—only two seconds slower than in London, where he set the quickest half in a marathon. As in Valencia and London, the Kenyan made his trademark move roughly near the 30K checkpoint. After the 29th kilometer in a fast 2:35, he clocked a record 13:35 from 32–37k at a swift 2:43 min/km pace (22.09 km/h). Thus, Kiptum averaged a 2:51 min/km pace for the entire distance (20.995 km/h).[23][24] He ran at the front after the 15K checkpoint, without a pacemaker after halfway, and alone from 30th kilometer onward, beating the runner-up—his compatriot Benson Kipruto—by almost three and a half minutes.[25][26][27][note 1]

Training regimen

Following Kiptum's record-breaking performance in October 2023, his coach provided insight into the athlete's training regimen. Gervais Hakizimana stated that Kiptum logged 250 to 280 km (155–173 mi) per week in the lead-up to that year's London Marathon in April. His routine regularly featured daily morning runs spanning 25–28 km, track or fartlek workouts on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and intense long runs of 30–40 km at close to marathon pace on Thursdays and Sundays.[2][28] He trained alternately in the high-altitude areas of Chepkorio and the nearby Kerio Valley (800–1,200 m) before the Chicago Marathon.[29]

Personal life

Kiptum was married to Asenath Cheruto Rotich, with whom he had two children.[30][31]

Death and reactions

At 11:00 pm local time on 11 February 2024, Kiptum died in a road traffic accident near Kaptagat, Kenya, in which his coach Gervais Hakizimana also died.[32][33][34][35] Local police stated that Kiptum lost control of his car and veered off the road, before entering a ditch and colliding with a tree.[36][37] Four men who had visited him that day about a contract for running shoes were subsequently detained for questioning concerning Kiptum's death.[38][39]

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe remarked: "On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates, and the Kenyan nation. It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon world record, that I was able to ratify his historic time officially. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly."[40]

Former marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge said: "I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of the Marathon World record holder and rising star Kelvin Kiptum. An athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness. I offer my deepest condolences to his young family. May God comfort you during this trying time."[40] Kenyan President William Ruto stated: "Kelvin Kiptum was a star. Arguably one of the world's finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record."[40] He later ordered a house to be built for Kiptum's family, to be completed within a 40-day mourning period.[41]

Achievements

Information from World Athletics profile and rankings.[11] Note that personal bests are given with their current status while statuses and positions on the all-time top list shown in the competition record section are provided as of the date they were achieved. Course record statuses according to sources cited in the article.

Personal bests

Surface Event Time Place Date Notes
Track 10,000 metres 28:27.87 Stockholm, Sweden 4 May 2021
Road 10 km 28:17 Utrecht, Netherlands 6 October 2019
Half marathon 58:42 Valencia, Spain 6 December 2020
Marathon 2:00:35 Chicago, United States 8 October 2023 World record

Marathons

Year Competition Venue Position Event Time Notes
2022 Valencia Marathon Valencia, Spain 1st Elite Platinum marathon 2:01:53 PB CR, 4th performance all time (WR 44 s+)
2023 London Marathon London, United Kingdom 1st World Marathon Majors 2:01:25 PB CR, 2nd performance all time (WR 16 s+)
Chicago Marathon Chicago, United States 1st 2:00:35 PB CR WR (previous WR 34 s-)

World Marathon Majors Series timeline

World Marathon Majors 2023
(Series XV)
Tokyo Marathon –
Boston Marathon –
London Marathon 1st
2:01:25
Berlin Marathon –
Chicago Marathon 1st
2:00:35
New York City Marathon –
Series standing Winner
50 pts

See also

Notes

  1. ^ As of October 2023, there were two faster marathon marks in history, albeit both achieved in overassisted closed time trials and not in an open competition, thus ineligible to be ratified as a world record. Kiptum's compatriot Eliud Kipchoge ran 2:00:25 at the Breaking2 trial in 2017 and 1:59:40.2 at the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in 2019. Both events were not conducted under the rules of the IAAF, a governing body for the sport of athletics, due to the lack of open competition, the presence of interchangeable pacemakers and delivery of hydration on a bicycle, among others. Both races made use of a large number of rotating pacemakers, 30 in the first and 35 in the second attempt, who in smaller groups (6-pacer triangle formation and 7-pacer inverse-V formation, respectively) took turns fresh-footed during each race.

References

  1. ^ a b "Tilastopaja Oy Track and field statistics | Kelvin Kiptum". Tilastopaja.eu. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Gremmel, Robin (8 October 2023). "Kiptum's Coach Fears Intense Training Will Shorten Record Career". Barron's. Agence France-Presse. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Marathon: Gervais Hakizimana, galérien du bitume et coach du nouveau roi Kelvin Kiptum". France 24. Agence France-Presse. 9 October 2023. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  4. ^ "World Rankings | Men's Marathon (Half Marathon-25km-30km)". Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Marathon Men". worldathletics.org. World Athletics. n.d. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Men's Marathon (Half Marathon-25km-30km)". World Athletics. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  7. ^ Douglas, Scott (3 February 2024). "Here's How Fast the World's Best Marathoners Can Run". Runner's World. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  8. ^ a b Rathborn, Jack (4 December 2022). "Amane Beriso and Kelvin Kiptum pull off surprise wins in blazing times at Valencia Marathon". The Independent. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d "London Marathon 2023: Can Kelvin Kiptum be 'Kipchoge 2.0'?". BBC Sport. 25 April 2023. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  10. ^ Simiyu, Wycliffe W. Njororai (13 February 2024). "Kelvin Kiptum: the Kenyan runner who redefined what it takes to win marathons". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Kelvin KIPTUM – Athlete Profile". World Athletics. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  12. ^ Gault, Jonathan (12 February 2024). "Rest in Peace Kelvin Kiptum: Marathon Star Transformed the Sport in 10 Months". LetsRun.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  13. ^ Saya, Magdaline. "Strange people looked for him 4 days before his death - Kiptum's father speaks". The Star. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  14. ^ a b Watta, Evelyn (8 October 2023). "Kelvin Kiptum confident ahead of the Chicago Marathon 2023 and beyond: "I can run 2:00"". Olympics.com. IOC. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  15. ^ Komen, Jonathan; Rutto, Stephen (12 October 2023). "Coachless, shoeless, but not hopeless...Kiptum, the man of the moment". The Standard (Kenya). Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Jepkosgey, Kiptum Wins Family Bank Half Marathon". DailySport.co.ke. 7 October 2018. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Birech, Chebet win Kass Marathon". Daily Nation. 4 July 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  18. ^ Gault, Jonathan (4 December 2022). "Kelvin Kiptum (2:01:53) & Amane Beriso (2:14:58) Surprise to Win Super Fast 2022 Valencia Marathon". LetsRun.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  19. ^ Valiente, Emeterio (4 December 2022). "Kiptum and Beriso break course records in Valencia". World Athletics. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  20. ^ McAlister, Sean (24 April 2023). "How fast was Kelvin Kiptum's London Marathon vs Eliud Kipchoge's world record?". Olympics.com. IOC. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  21. ^ Whittington, Jess (23 April 2023). "Kiptum charges to 2:01:25 triumph, Hassan stuns on marathon debut in London". World Athletics. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  22. ^ Bozon, Jenny (24 April 2023). "Who is men's London Marathon winner Kelvin Kiptum and could he surpass Eliud Kipchoge?". Runner's World. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  23. ^ Hartnett, Sean (10 October 2023). "Chicago Marathon Men — Kiptum Sub-2:01". Track & Field News. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  24. ^ McAlister, Sean (9 October 2023). "How fast was Kelvin Kiptum's men's marathon world record? Chicago Marathon 2023 race pace breakdown and split times". Olympics.com. IOC. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Kiptum smashes world marathon record with 2:00:35, Hassan runs 2:13:44 in Chicago". World Athletics. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  26. ^ Ingle, Sean (8 October 2023). "Kelvin Kiptum shatters marathon world record with run of just over two hours". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  27. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (9 October 2023). "Nike hit back at Adidas in 'super shoe' war as Kelvin Kiptum shatters men's marathon record". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Kelvin Kiptum's Coach Reveals His Incredible Training Before Marathon World Record in Chicago". LetsRun.com. 10 October 2023. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  29. ^ Rotich, Bernard (4 October 2023). "Chicago Marathon: Kelvin Kiptum sets sights on the big prize". Daily Nation. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  30. ^ "Kiptum's widow: My husband loved his children dearly". Nation. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Family mourns Kenya's marathon prodigy Kelvin Kiptum". Reuters. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ Odula, Tom; Mutuota, Mutwiri; and Imray, Gerald (12 February 2024). "Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum, who was set to be a superstar, has died in a car crash". ABC News. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  33. ^ Akinyi, Patricia (11 February 2024). "World marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum is dead". Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  34. ^ "Kelvin Kiptum: World marathon record holder and his coach die in road accident". 11 February 2024. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  35. ^ Kiprono, Justus (12 February 2024). "Kelvin Kiptum, World Marathon Star, Dies at 24". How.Africa. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  36. ^ Madowo, Larry (12 February 2024). "Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and coach killed in road accident in Kenya". CNN. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  37. ^ "Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum killed in car crash in Kenya". Agence France-Presse. 12 February 2024. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  38. ^ Rick Broadbent (14 February 2024), "Kelvin Kiptum: 'Mystery men' were in contract dispute with runner", The Times, archived from the original on 16 February 2024, retrieved 16 February 2024
  39. ^ Rumsby, Ben (14 February 2024). "Kelvin Kiptum: Four men who visited home before car crash questioned by police". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  40. ^ a b c "Athletics-Reaction to the death of marathon world record holder Kiptum". Reuters. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  41. ^ "Kelvin Kiptum: President William Ruto orders house for Kenyan athlete's family". BBC. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.

External links

Records
Preceded by Men's marathon world record holder
8 October 2023 – present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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