Kelvin Kiptum

Kelvin Kiptum was a generational marathon talent whose meteoric rise and tragic death at age 24 left the running world in mourning. In just three career marathons, the Kenyan prodigy won every race, set the world record (2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon), and posted three of the seven fastest marathon times in history.

Kiptum's world record of 2:00:35 brought the sub-two-hour marathon barrier tantalizingly close in official competition, and many believed he would be the first to break it under record-eligible conditions. Trained by Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana using unconventional methods, Kiptum's talent was raw and electrifying. His death in a car accident in February 2024 robbed the sport of what could have been its greatest-ever chapter. The running world continues to honor his legacy.