Tanui

Kelvin Kiptum: the Kenyan runner who redefined what it takes to win marathons

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Rotterdam Marathon, Tanui, Gold, Walking, Death, Chicago Marathon, Shoe, Athlete, Ageing, World Athletics, Research, Environment, Running

The runner, aged only 24, died on 10 February in a car accident that also claimed his coach Gervais Hakizimana, 37, from Rwanda.

Key Points: 
  • The runner, aged only 24, died on 10 February in a car accident that also claimed his coach Gervais Hakizimana, 37, from Rwanda.
  • The region north-west of Nairobi is home to many Kenyan distance runners, among them world famous athletes such as former world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge.
  • He was reportedly unable to afford a pair of shoes to run in his first major competitive race.
  • Kiptum’s career was fascinating to watch for a sport scientist like me, with a research focus on Kenyan athletics.