The death of Kelvin Kiptum at his prime has thrown Kenya and the entire athletic fraternity across the world into mourning.
Kiptum and his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, died in a tragic road accident along Eldoret-Kaptagat Road.
The marathoner was expected to participate in the Rotterdam Marathon later this year, in April.
The 24-year-old athlete rose to fame following his simultaneous 2023 marathon victories in Chicago and Landon.
There was no doubt that Kiptum was destined for greatness, having broken two World Marathon records, beating reigning champion Eliud Kipchoge.
What’s more, his death on Sunday, February 11, came just five days after his world record was ratified.
Photo: Kelvin Kiptum
Kelvin Kiptum’s education and career
Kelvin Kiptum was born on December 2, 1999, in Chepsamo village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
Kiptum’s father revealed the marathoner was an only child.
Samson Cheruiyot disclosed that Kiptum was his one and only child, as he and his wife were advised not to have more kids after him.
“Kiptum is my only son and child. I do not have any other children. My wife had some problems, and doctors advised us not to have any more kids. So, we adhered to the advice,” he said.
Born on December 2, 1999, in Chepsamo village, Eldoret, Kiptum went to St. Patrick’s High School in Iten.
Kiptum began his marathon training under the guidance of an Irish coach, Brother Colm O’Connell.
An avid trainer, Kiptum kicked off his professional sports career in 2016.
Kiptum reached a career milestone in 2018 when he won the Eldoret half marathon with a time of 1:02:01.
The athlete went on to make an impression at the Lisbon Half Marathon when he finished in fifth place.
He went on to triumph at the Casablanca and Beirut marathons in 2019.
At the Valencia marathon in 2022, the athlete achieved historic status by breaking the 2:02:00 mark, becoming just the third man in history to do so.
Kelvin Kiptum’s wife
Kelvin Kiptum was a married man with two children. Kiptum’s wife, Asenath Cheruto Rotich, has since hailed him as a good husband and father to their two children.
Chruto further disclosed that her husband had been training hard to achieve his dream of running a marathon in under two hours.
Kelvin Kiptum’s wife Asenath Cheruto Rotich together with Sports CS Ababu Namwamba. Photo/courtesy
Only Eliud Kipchoge has achieved the feat or running a marathon under two hours, albeit in controlled conditions.
Kiptum’s net worth
In 2023, Kiptum made history after he won the Chicago Marathon after completing the race in 2:00:35.
This shattered the previous record of 2:01:09 set by Eliud Kipchoge.
Kiptum received a prize of KSh 14.8 million for crossing the finish line. In a similar vein, the Nike-sponsored athlete pocketed a KSh 7.4 million bonus for setting a world record.
The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Sports, also gifted him a KSH 5 million incentive.
Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana. Photo/courtesy
London Marathon earnings and net worth
Kiptum won the 2023 London Marathon and set a new world record with 2:01:25, thereby shattering Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record.
The feat earned Kiptum close to $250,000 in prize money plus other bonuses, including those from Nike Shoe Company, where he was a brand ambassador.
Various online sources estimate Kiptum’s net worth at about $650,000 (about KSh 100 million) at the time of his death.
READ ALSO: Kelvin Kiptum: World Marathon Record Holder, Coach Die in Road Accident
Kelvin Kiptum’s legacy
Even though he died at a rather tender age, Kiptum leaves behind a rich legacy that will inspire generations to come.
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