"Remembering Kelvin Kiptum: A Reflection on Overcoming Adversity and Inspiring Change”?
The late Kelvin Kiptum was the world record holder for the marathon and Kenya's long distance runner. He was also the top male marathon runner in history. His birthday is December 2, 1999. He was raised in the high altitude (2,600 m) Chepsamo village, Chepkorio, in Elgeyo Marakwet County in the Rift Valley of Kenya. It lies on the southeast side of the Kaptagat forest, about 30 km east of Eldoret. To the east, it is close to the edge of the meridional Elgeyo (Keiyo) escarpment, which quickly gives way to the lower Kerio Valley (800–1,200 m). The area, along with other Kenyan counties, is well known for being the birthplace of numerous well known Kenyan runners and for being a destination for international runners.
He was the sole child of Samson Cheruiyot.When he was a little youngster, he began herding cattle for his family and began going on barefoot runs in the woodlands. Kiptum began training at the age of thirteen in 2013.Kiptum had two kids with his wife, Asenath Cheruto Rotich. When he died, his son was seven years old.
CAREER
At the age of 13, Kiptum ran his first half marathon in his home Kenya in the Family Bank Eldoret Half Marathon in 2013 and finished in 10th place. The following year, he placed 12th. The teenager won this event in 2018 with a timing of 62:01 to record his first victory. During the period, he trained himself. At the Libson half marathon in Portugal in March 2019, Kiptum made his debut on the global stage by finishing sixth and setting a new personal best time of 59:54. In November 2019, he won the Kass Half Marathon in his native Kenya. He also took part in six other races that year while touring north and west Europe. Kiptum began acting as a coach for Rwandan 3000 meter steeplechase record holder Gervais Hakizimana in 2020.He started training for the marathon in 2020. In December of the same year, the 21 year old set a notable personal best record as he placed sixth in the 58:42 Spanish Valencia Half Marathon. In 2021, he ran the Lens Pass de Calais half marathon in 59:35 and 59:02, placing first and eighth, respectively.
He was the third man to break 2:02 in the marathon in 2022. At the Valencia Marathon in December, 23 year old Kiptum made a stir by making his debut in the storied 42.195 kilometer distance. Running a negative split, he won in 2:01:53, the fourth fastest time ever and the third man in history to break two hours and two minutes. Up until then, only two people had run faster, Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia and Eliud Kipchoge, his compatriot and the world record.
At the London Marathon in April 2023, Kiptum established a course record of 2:01:25, which was 16 seconds faster than the world record and 72 seconds faster than Kipchoge's previous record of 2:02:37.
His next event, the Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2023, while he was still 23 years old, was his third marathon and second World Marathon Major. With a time of two hours and thirty-five seconds, Kiptum broke the course record by more than three minutes and set a new world record. Kipchoge had set a time of 34 seconds at the Berlin Marathon in 2022. Kiptum split once more, but this time he completed the first half in 60:48, which was about a minute quicker than his time in London even though he was still 14 seconds off the world record pace. He also had the endurance to complete the second half in 59:47, just two seconds slower than his record-setting half marathon in London. Like in Valencia and London, the Kenyan maneuvered characteristically close to the 30kilometer mark. He set a record of 13:35 after the 29th kilometer in a quick 2:35, moving at a fast 2:43 min/km pace of 22.09 km/h from 32–37k. Kiptum covered the distance at an average pace of 2:51 minutes per km, or 20.995 km/h. After the 15K checkpoint, He beat his colleague Benson Kipruto by about three and a half minutes by running at the front after the 15kilometer checkpoint, without a pacemaker after halfway, and by himself from the 30th kilometer onward.
What role did his coach play in his accomplishments?
After Kiptum broke records in October 2023, his coach shared information about the athlete's training schedule. According to Gervais Hakizimana, Kiptum ran between 250 and 280 kilometers a week in preparation for the April London Marathon that year. Intense long runs of 30–40 km at nearly marathon pace on Thursdays and Sundays, track or fartlek sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and daily morning runs of 25–28 km were all part of his regimen. Before the Chicago Marathon, he trained sporadically in the adjacent Kerio Valley, which is 800–1,200 meters above sea level, and the high-altitude regions of Chepkorio.
KELVIN KIPTUM DEMISE
On February 11, 2024, at 11:00 p.m. local time, Kiptum lost his life in a car accident close to Kaptagat, Kenya, along with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. According to the local police, Kiptum lost control of his vehicle, swerved off the road, went into a ditch, and struck a tree. Four guys who had gone to see him that day regarding an agreement for running shoes were later taken into custody to be questioned about Kiptum's passing.
He was preparing for the Rotterdam Marathon in April 2024 at the time of his death, with excitement and anticipation to break the two hour mark in an official event for the first time. Kiptum was also a strong contender to win a gold medal at the July 2024 Olympics in Paris.
In honoring the memory of Kelvin Kiptum, we are reminded of the human spirit's tenacity in the face of difficulty. Through his journey, he shows that even under the most hopeless circumstances, light may be found by exercising determination and compassion.
Even though Kelvin is no longer with us, his influence and the lives he touched will always live on. As we work to have a positive influence on our communities and beyond, let's continue his attitude of service and tenacity.
As we bid farewell to Kelvin Kiptum, let's rejoice in his lasting impact on the globe rather than lamenting his departure. May his memory inspire us and act as a beacon of light.
A message to the athletes left behind:
Greetings to all athletes. Following Kiptum's passing, may you draw inspiration from his legacy and find strength in your unity. Honor his memory by pursuing your dreams with unrelenting drive, embracing resilience, and cherish every moment.
