Kelvin Kiptum
Kelvin Kiptum (December 2, 1999 – February 11, 2024) was the world record holder in the marathon. In just 10 months, the Kenyan athlete achieved three stunning results. In December 2022, Kiptum won as the fastest debutant the marathon in Valencia (2.01.53). In London he improved this time to 2.01.25. On October 8, 2023, he set the world record by becoming the first athlete to finish under 2 hours and 1 minute in Chicago: 2:00:35.
Kiptum would participate in the 43rd NN Marathon Rotterdam on April 14, 2024. He had big plans: his goal was to break his own world record. Under perfect conditions he could have become the first athlete to break the magical barrier of 2 hours.
On February 11, 2024, Kiptum died in a car accident in Kenya. He left behind his wife and two children. His coach Gervais Hakizimana also died in the accident.