The 24-year-old athlete met with a fatal car accident on Sunday night in Kenya, alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. Reports from Elgeyo-Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mulinge indicate that the accident occurred around 11 pm when Kiptum's Toyota Premio veered off the road and struck a tree not far from his childhood village in western Kenya. 

Regrettably, both Kiptum and his coach lost their lives, while a 24-year-old woman named Sharon Kosgey sustained severe injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.

Kelvin Kiptum had garnered international acclaim in October 2023 after triumphing in the Chicago Marathon with a remarkable time of 2 hours and 35 seconds, setting a new record by finishing an official race in under 2 hours and 1 minute. 

This achievement surpassed the previous record held by Eliud Kipchoge, solidifying Kiptum's position in the running community. 

Looking towards the future, Kiptum had his sights set on the Rotterdam Marathon in the Netherlands, aiming to complete the race in under two hours, pushing his boundaries further. Additionally, he harbored aspirations of participating in the Paris Olympics, eager to demonstrate his exceptional running prowess on the global stage. 

Reflecting on his ambitions, Kiptum expressed his determination to continually surpass his limits in pursuit of excellence in an interview with World Athletics in December.