The reigning Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir has joined the rest of the world in mourning the sudden death of world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who died on Sunday night through a road accident along Eldoret-Kaptagat Road.
Jepchirchir, the winner of three world half marathons, said that as athletes, they did not expect such bad news to happen to the young, strong and promising athlete at a tender age.
She said that they had just started celebrating his world record ratification and bad news came in with shock.
“It was shocking because as athletes we were not expecting such bad news because we were still celebrating the ratification of the world record he set at the Chicago marathon in October,” said Jepchirchir.
She continued that as a country and a family of athletes, they were expecting him to perform well especially being an Olympic year.
“The sun had started shining on him and he left us. We were expecting him to run well this year especially at the Olympic Games in Paris, France, not forgetting the sub two runs at the Rotterdam marathon come April,” she said.
She said that sometimes they have to question God over the loss of a good young athlete and as the first person to run such times.
“With so many expectations from him, we still question God why it was to happen that early. We are mourning a lot and today I did not manage to go for the training today morning because of the shock caused by his death,” said Jepchirchir.
The former world half marathon record holder joins a host of renowned athletes and leaders to have mourned the late Kiptum.
On Monday, World Athletics President Sebastien Coe and President William Ruto led the world and Kenyans to mourn the reigning London marathon champion.
Coe said that he was shocked and saddened by the death of Kiptum. On his X account, he wrote:
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
“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 officially ratify his historic time. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly,” he said.
“Kelvin Kiptum was a star. Arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record. He was only 24 yet, as a hero, triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and in other top competitions. His mental strength and discipline were unmatched. Kiptum was our future. An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark in the globe. Our thoughts are with the family and the sporting fraternity. Rest In Peace,” wrote the president.
He broke Eliud Kipchoge’s world record in Chicago last October, running 26.1 miles in two hours and 35 seconds.
Also the former Sports CS Amina Mohamed has eulogised the late World marathon record holder saying that she had interacted with Kiptum during his training sessions and described him as a national gem who will be missed dearly.
“I remember the many times I interacted with Kelvin during his training and participation in various events. Kelvin stood out as a talented, unstoppable, dignified, disciplined, and focused athlete. We will miss him and his superior performance,” she noted.