‘Incredible’ Kelvin Kiptum was targeting more marathon history before his death aged 24

Before his life was cut short at the age of 24 in a road accident, Kelvin Kiptum had been intent on achieving even more history in his brief but extraordinary marathon running career.

Before his life was cut short at the age of 24 in a road accident, Kelvin Kiptum had been intent on achieving even more history in his brief but extraordinary marathon running career. Already the world record holder over 26.2 miles, Kiptum’s next challenge was to become the first person ever to break the two-hour barrier in an official race at the Rotterdam Marathon in April. In pursuit of this goal, his life was simple and his training rigorous. “Currently my days consist of eat, sleep, train and repeat,” Kiptum wrote on social media last month. “My preparation is my main focus at the moment.” But the world will never know if he could break his own record, nor the hallowed two-hour barrier – one of the legendary frontiers in distance running. On Sunday, Kiptum’s career was tragically curtailed after he died alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. “An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy,” is how Sebastian Coe, the president of global governing body World Athletics, described the Kenyan’s footprint on the sport. In a short space of time, Kiptum enjoyed unprecedented success in the marathon. He came within 44 seconds of compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s then-world record during his debut in Valencia, broke the course record in London, and then set his world record of two hours and 35 seconds in Chicago.