World marathon record holder and London Marathon winner Kelvin Kiptum and his coach have died in a car crash, Kenya’s former prime minister has said.
According to the BBC, the 24-year-old won the London Marathon last year.
His coach was also killed in the crash, Kenyan runner Milcah Chemos said, who went to the hospital where the bodies were taken.
The crash happened on a road between two towns in western Kenya, she said, in a high-altitude region renowned as a training base for long-distance runners.
Kenya’s former prime minister Raila Odinga said on X: “Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, World Record holder and Kenyan athletics icon. Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight.
“My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity.
“Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”
