Kelvin Kiptum Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Height, Cause of Death, Obituary
Kelvin Kiptum was a Kenyan long-distance runner who made history by breaking the marathon world record twice in 2023. He was the only person to run the marathon under two hours and one minute in a record-eligible race. He ran three of the seven-fastest marathons in history, winning three prestigious races in a span of 10 months. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest marathoners of all time and a potential successor to his idol and mentor, Eliud Kipchoge.
However, his brilliant career and life were cut short on 11 February 2024, when he died in a road traffic accident near Kaptagat, Kenya, along with his coach Gervais Hakizimana. He was only 24 years old. His death shocked and saddened the world of athletics and beyond, as tributes poured in from fellow runners, fans, celebrities, and leaders.
Kelvin Kiptum Wiki/Bio
| Name | Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 December 1999 |
| Birthplace | Chepsamo, Chepkorio, Kenya |
| Died | 11 February 2024 (aged 24) |
| Deathplace | Kaptagat, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Ethnicity | Kalenjin |
| Religion | Christian |
| Spouse | Asenath Rotich |
| Children | Caleb and Precious |
| Occupation | Long-distance runner |
| Coach | Gervais Hakizimana |
| World record | Marathon: 2:00:35 (Chicago 2023) |
| Awards | World Athlete of the Year (2023) Male Athlete of the Year (2023) Sports Personality of the Year (2023) |
Parents, Siblings, Early Life, Birthday
Kelvin Kiptum was born on 2 December 1999 (age: 24 years, when died) in Chepsamo village, Chepkorio, in the high-altitude area of Elgeyo-Marakwet County in Kenya’s Rift Valley. He was the third of five children of Samson Cheruiyot and Mary Kangogo, both former athletes. His father was a runner who competed in local races, while his mother was a volleyball player who represented Kenya at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Kiptum grew up in a modest home, surrounded by nature and sports. He helped his family with farming and herding cattle, and often ran barefoot along the forest trails with other children. He was inspired by the success of Kenyan runners, especially Eliud Kipchoge and Haile Gebrselassie, whom he watched on television and admired.
He attended St. Patrick’s High School in Iten, a renowned institution that has produced many Kenyan champions, such as David Rudisha, Wilson Kipketer, and Peter Rono. He trained under the guidance of Brother Colm O’Connell, an Irish coach who has been instrumental in developing Kenyan talent for over four decades. He excelled in academics and athletics, showing great potential and discipline.
Profile
Instagram- @kelvinkiptumcheruiyot
Height, Weight
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 65 kg (143 lb) |
| Eye Color | Black |
Professional Career
Kelvin Kiptum started his professional career in 2016, when he joined the NN Running Team, a global elite running group sponsored by Nike and managed by Jos Hermens, a former Dutch runner and agent. He made his international debut at the Lisbon Half Marathon in 2017, finishing fifth in 1:00:24. He then won his first marathon at the Casablanca Marathon in 2018, clocking 2:10:08. He followed it up with another victory at the Beirut Marathon later that year, improving his time to 2:05:34.
However, his breakthrough came in 2022, when he made his debut at the Valencia Marathon, one of the fastest courses in the world. He stunned the world by winning the race in 2:01:59, becoming the third man in history to break the two-hour-two-minute barrier and setting the fourth-fastest time ever. He also broke the course record, the African record, and the debut marathon record. He announced himself as a serious contender for the marathon world record, which was then held by Eliud Kipchoge at 2:01:39.
In 2023, Kelvin Kiptum continued his meteoric rise, winning two of the six World Marathon Majors, the most prestigious series of marathon races in the world. He first won the London Marathon in April, beating a strong field that included Geoffrey Kamworor, the half marathon world record holder, and Kenenisa Bekele, the 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder. He clocked 2:01:25, the second-fastest time in history and just 16 seconds shy of Kipchoge’s world record. He also broke the course record and the European record.
He then won the Chicago Marathon in October, achieving his ultimate goal of breaking the marathon world record. He ran a blistering pace from the start, leaving behind his rivals and running alone for most of the race. He crossed the finish line in 2:00:35, breaking Kipchoge’s world record by 34 seconds and becoming the first man to run a marathon under two hours and one minute in a record-eligible race. He also broke the course record and the American record. He was hailed as a legend and a hero by the running community and the media.
He had planned to run his next marathon in Rotterdam in April 2024, where he hoped to become the first athlete to run an official marathon in under two hours. He had been training hard with his coach and team in Kaptagat, Kenya, preparing for the historic attempt. However, fate had other plans, as he met his tragic end on 11 February 2024, just two months before the race.
Personal Life and Family
Kelvin Kiptum was married to Asenath Rotich, a former runner who had competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. They had two children, Caleb and Precious, who were seven and four years old at the time of his death. They lived in Eldoret, Kenya, where Kiptum had built a house for his family. He was a devoted husband and father, who loved spending time with his wife and kids. He also supported his parents and siblings, who lived in Chepsamo village.
Kiptum was a humble and generous person, who never forgot his roots and always helped his community. He donated money and equipment to his former school, St. Patrick’s High School, and sponsored several young athletes from his village. He also supported various causes, such as education, health, and environment. He was a role model and a mentor to many aspiring runners, especially in Kenya.
He often prayed before and after his races, and thanked God for his blessings. He was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and observed the Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening. He also enjoyed reading the Bible and listening to gospel music.
Kiptum was a fan of Manchester United, a popular English football club. He liked to watch their matches on television and wear their jerseys. He also liked to play chess and scrabble with his friends and family. He had a passion for cars and motorcycles, and owned a Toyota Prado and a BMW motorbike.
Net Worth and Endorsements
Kelvin Kiptum had a net worth of about $5 million, according to various sources. He earned most of his income from his prize money and appearance fees from his marathon races. He also had lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, NN Running Team, and other sponsors. He was one of the highest-paid athletes in Kenya and in the world.
He was famous for wearing the Nike Vaporfly shoes, a controversial footwear that was said to enhance performance and reduce fatigue. He wore the shoes in all his marathons, and credited them for helping him break the world record. He also collaborated with Nike to design his own signature shoe, the Kiptum Fly, which sold out in two minutes after its launch in November 2023.
Cause of Death and Obituary
Kelvin Kiptum died on 11 February 2024, at 11 PM, in a road traffic accident between Kaptagat and Eldoret, Kenya. He was driving his Toyota Prado with his coach Gervais Hakizimana and a female passenger, when he lost control and rolled over. He and his coach died on the spot, while the passenger survived with injuries. The police said that the accident was caused by a burst tire and poor visibility due to fog.
Kiptum’s death was mourned by millions of people around the world, who expressed their shock and sorrow on social media and other platforms. His fellow runners, fans, celebrities, and leaders paid tribute to him, praising his achievements and his character. His funeral was held on 18 February 2024, at his home in Eldoret, where thousands of people gathered to bid him farewell. He was buried next to his coach in a private ceremony.
Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot, 24, of Eldoret, Kenya, passed away on 11 February 2024, in a car accident near Kaptagat, Kenya. He was born on 2 December 1999, in Chepsamo village, Chepkorio, Kenya, to Samson Cheruiyot and Mary Kangogo. He was a world-renowned long-distance runner and the marathon world record holder. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Asenath Rotich, his children, Caleb and Precious, his parents, his siblings, and many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his coach, Gervais Hakizimana
