Marathon world record older dies

The running world was shocked when news screamed that world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya has died. Kiptum 24, and his coach Gervais Hakizimana figured in a fatal car accident that abruptly ended his young running career. Kiptum is the first runner to go below 2:01 when he won in the 2023 Berlin Marathon, clocking 2:00:35. He was in deep training for the Rotterdam Marathon and would attempt to break the 2-minute barrier. Kiptum only made his first full marathon at the 2022 Valencia Marathon, where he posted the fastest time in a debut. His death came just five days after World Athletics ratified his world record. He was preparing to win in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

MORE KENYAN DEATHS

SAMUEL WANJIRU - was an Olympic marathon champion who won the gold medal in the 2009 Beijing Olympics, becoming the first Kenyan to win a gold marathon medal in the Olympics. He was also a two-time Chicago Marathon champion, winning in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, he also won the London Marathon. Wanjiru died in May 2011 after he fell from a balcony. It was reported that there were circumstances surrounding his death. His mother, Hannah Wanjiru, tesified that his son was murdered by six-men who conspired with his wife.

AGNES TIROP - won bronze in the 10,000 meters at the 2017 and 2019 World Athletics Championships. She was also the world record holder in the 10k women-only event. She was found dead in her home in Iten, Elgeyo-Mara Kwet county on October 13, 2021 with multiple stab wounds in the neck and abdomen.

NOCOLAS BETT - was a world champion in the 400m hurdles in 2015 and a two-time bronze medalist in the African Championships. Bett was killed in a road accident near the town of Lessos, Nandi County in August 2018.

DAVID LELEI- was a middle-distance runner who won silver at 1500m in the 1999 All-African Games and was fourth at the 2001 World Indoor Championship in the 800m. He died in a car accident in 2010. In the car was 1996 and 1998 Boston Maratho champion Moses Tanui, who sustained minor injuries.

NOTES: Registration for the Liberation of Panay 53k Ultramarathon which will be held on March 17 in IloIlo City is now ongoing at Faforma Boutique, Iloilo City. Also to be held is the 28K Run. Registration fees are Php1,450.00 for the Ultra and Php1,250 for the run. Finishers in both races will receive a medal and t-shirt. Register online through Facebook page:Liberation of Panay Ultramarathon.*