Kelvin Kiptum is Dead – World Record Holder in fatal car crash
Kelvin Kiptum beat Eliud Kipchoge‘s Marathon World Record in Chicago in October 2023, clocking an incredible two hours and 35 seconds. At 24 years of age, he was clearly on target to become the greatest distance runner in history and favourite for the 2024 Olympics Gold. Plans were also afoot to break the official two-hour barrier at the Rotterdam Marathon.
Sadly, he died alongside his coach in a car crash in Western Kenya on Sunday 11 Feb at 23:00 local time, another female passenger survived.
Kelvin Kiptum Marathon World Record – Chicago with Nike + Garmin
Last Updated on 27 January 2026 by the5krunner
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
Oh no, that’s terrible news indeed. Kelvin was the most likely candidate to target the sub 2 hours under legal conditions and seemed like a nice chap to boot. What a loss, not only for the running community.
Sad day for athletics.
Absolutely tragic news – takes me back to Samuel Wanjiru – such a loss to the sport of someone who was going to have a massive impact for many years.