On 11 February 2024, the athletics world was shaken by the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Kelvin Kiptum. At just 24, the marathon prodigy and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, lost their lives in a road accident near Kaptagat, Kenya. The news sent shockwaves across the running community.

Kiptum’s meteoric rise—marked by three record breaking marathon performances—had already cemented his place among the sport’s all-time greats. Yet his untimely death left the world mourning a future full of promise, taken far too soon.

Kelvin Kiptum soaring through the streets of Chicago, en route to his grandest victory

One year after his tragic passing, we reflect on Kelvin Kiptum's marathon career—a career that, despite lasting less than a year, defined his legacy as one of the sport's greatest talents. His story is one of sheer marathon excellence.

Each of his three races was a testament, each one stretching the boundaries of what was thought possible. From his record-breaking debut to his historic world record run, Kiptum reshaped the sport with every stride.

And it all began in Valencia...

Kiptum’s Grand Entrance: A Spanish Debut to Remember

The Valencia Marathon, typically held in December, is renowned as one of the fastest and most prestigious non-major marathons in the world. With its flat course, ideal weather, and world-class competition, it has become a proving ground for the world’s top marathoners. In 2022, anticipation was particularly high, with an elite field featuring reigning world marathon champion Tamirat Tola and seven other athletes who had previously broken the 2:05 barrier. Among them was a relatively unknown 23-year-old Kenyan debutant—Kelvin Kiptum. Few could have foreseen the magnitude of his impact that day.

Kiptum’s first marathon performance was nothing short of extraordinary. After staying with the front pack through a blistering opening half of 1:01:42, he showed no signs of fading. By the 30K mark, he found himself in a lead group of three. It was then that he unleashed a devastating charge, accelerating with such intensity that his 30–35K split was a staggering 14:00—well under the pace required for a sub-2-hour marathon. Incredibly, he sustained this ferocious tempo over the final 7K, pulling far ahead of the field and crossing the finish line in 2:01:53.

His time not only shattered the Valencia course record by over a minute but also made him just the third man in history to break the 2:02 barrier. It was the fastest marathon debut ever recorded. His second half, a negative split of 1:00:11, was a masterclass in pacing.

This race wasn’t just a debut; it was a declaration of intent.

Conquering the streets of London

Following his historic debut, the world wondered: was Kiptum’s debut performance a one-off, a performance where the stars aligned on the fast course and ideal temperature in Valencia, or was this the start of something greater? The answer came swiftly and emphatically at the 2023 London Marathon.

Celebrated for its rich history, iconic course, massive crowds, and fiercely competitive fields, London provided the perfect stage for Kiptum’s next chapter.

The field for the 2023 London Marathon was stacked with talent, featuring four of the five fastest marathon runners in history, including the legendary Kenenisa Bekele, two-time New York City Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, and Kiptum’s 2022 Valencia Marathon rival—world champion Tamirat Tola.

The race began at a fast pace, with the lead pack hitting the halfway mark in 1:01:40, signaling the potential for a record-breaking finish. Despite the star-studded lineup, Kiptum remained composed in the early stages, staying tucked comfortably within the lead group, biding his time as the contenders jostled for position, waiting for the right moment to make his move.

Then, as if following a familiar script, Kiptum made his decisive move around the 30K mark—just as he had done in Valencia. This time, however, he executed it with even greater intensity, covering the 30–35K split in a jaw-dropping 13:49. He had broken away from the pack with effortless ease, his stride fluid and his pace otherworldly. The surge was crushing, creating an insurmountable gap between himself and second place. Just like in Valencia, there was no wavering, and in the business end of the marathon, Kiptum continued to turn the screw on the field, maintaining his aggressive pace all the way to the finish.

As he navigated the final turns and descended onto The Mall, Kiptum continued to push the pace, his face now etched with grimaces—a rare glimpse of humanity in a performance that seemed almost superhuman.

Kiptum crossed the finish line in 2:01:25, and immeditaley collapsed onto the rain-soaked road, equally spent and overcome with joy. No one had ever run the streets of London faster. His performance shattered Eliud Kipchoge’s course record and secured the second-fastest marathon time in history. It was yet another masterclass in negative-split racing, solidifying his status as the most electrifying marathoner on the planet. Fans and competitors alike were left in awe, wondering just how much faster this extraordinary athlete could go.

The Chicago Masterpiece: A World Record for the Ages

All eyes were on Kiptum as he lined up for his third marathon—a race that would tragically be his last. Undefeated at the distance, with two historic performances already under his belt, questions loomed: How would he fare on the notoriously fast streets of Chicago? Would he go three for three in record-breaking marathons? Just how fast could he go?

As always in World Marathon Majors, the field was stacked, featuring nine runners with sub-2:06 marathon times, including elite competitors such as Bashir Abdi, Benson Kipruto, and Galen Rupp. Yet once again, it was Kiptum who rose above the rest, delivering a performance that would etch his name into the annals of marathon history.

From the start, Kiptum wasted no time, blasting through the opening 5K in 14:26—nearly world-record pace. Instead of easing up, he only got faster, reaching 10K in 28:42. At this early stage, a lead pack of just three had formed, featuring Kiptum, Daniel Mateiko, and a pacemaker. By halfway, he had erased any doubts about his ambitions for the race, crossing in 1:00:48—on pace to obliterate Dennis Kimetto’s course record of 2:03:04.

As he approached 30K, with the pacemaker having already stepped off, it was just Kiptum and the very brave Mateiko racing shoulder to shoulder. Then, just as he had done in his previous two marathons, Kiptum—already running at a blistering pace—found another gear. He surged ahead with a 30–35K split of 14:00, completely shattering the race and leaving him alone at the front.

Having already proven his elite status with near-perfect negative splits in Valencia and London, Kiptum was now asserting his dominance over the 26.2 miles of Chicago’s roads. From 35K onward, he maintained splits that were consistently under world-record pace. His form was flawless, his focus unbreakable. He was setting the race ablaze, unleashing his power with every stride. As he approached the final stretch, the crowd, sensing history in the making, buzzed with anticipation.

As he turned onto Columbus Drive, the final straight, it was clear—the world record wasn’t just within reach; it was about to be obliterated. Kiptum opened his stride one last time, waving to the crowd and pounding his chest. He surged through the final 100 meters and broke the tape in 2:00:35. He had done it—the world record had fallen.

A Legacy of Brilliance and Unfulfilled Promise

The three marathon races that defined Kelvin Kiptum’s tragically short career were monumental in every way. Each race was a course record. Each race was faster than the last. Each race featured a negative split—and incredibly, each race was won by an increasingly dominant margin. He accomplished all of this in his early 20s, an unprecedented feat in the marathon world, where most top runners do not peak until they are well into their 30s.

All of these facts highlight the devastating truth—Kelvin Kiptum’s greatest chapters will remain forever unwritten.

As we remember Kelvin Kiptum, we celebrate the indelible mark he left on the world of athletics. His legacy will endure, inspiring future generations to push the boundaries of human potential. Though his light was extinguished far too soon, the brilliance of his achievements will continue to shine, a testament to the extraordinary talent and spirit of a young man who, in just 11 months, transformed the sport of marathon running forever.

Rest in peace, Kelvin Kiptum. Your legacy will never be forgotten.