Kelvin Kiptum

Kelvin Kiptum, 24-year-old world record marathon holder, passed away on Feb. 11, 2024 in a tragic car accident. He will be remembered as a rising star in the world of running who left behind a lasting legacy on the sport. Let’s look back on the life of one of history’s greatest runners.

Early running:

Kelvin Kiptum grew up in Chepsamo Village, Chepkorio, a high-altitude area in Elgeyo-Marakwet County in Kenya, where he spent extensive periods running on dirt roads. From a young age he’d dreamt of becoming a runner, as did many of the surrounding children. Though his nearest track was too far, Kiptum worked hard to improve himself in running.

In 2013, Kiptum competed his first half-marathon, the Eldoret Half Marathon, and placed 10th despite being only 13. Five years later, Kiptum took his first win with a time of 1:02:01. A year later, he made his international debut at the Lisbon Half Marathon in Portugal. These early races would lay the foundation for the following years of Kiptum’s racing career.

Training:

For years, Kelvin Kiptum was self-coached. That ended when he began training with Gervais Hakizimana, a coach and friend of Kiptum’s who used to train in the same area. Hakizimana died with Kiptum in the car accident. In a prior interview with AFP, Hakizimana revealed Kiptum’s brutal training regime:

“All he does is run, eat, sleep,” said Hakizimana about Kiptum. Kiptum’s grueling routine even worried his coach.

“He’s very strong. He does all the training properly. He’s in his best years but at some point, I’m afraid he’ll get injured,” said Hakizimana.

Kiptum’s weekly schedule:

At the time of his world record-breaking marathon, Kiptum’s weekly mileage ranged from 250-280 km (about 155 to 174 mi) and sometimes exceeded 300 km (186 mi). During his training for the Chicago marathon, he would run in high-altitude Chepkorio and Kerio Valley.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, he would complete two sessions totaling 40 km (25 mi). Morning sessions were between 25-28 km (16-17 mi) and afternoon sessions 12 km (7 mi). Tuesdays were track days, in which he would do fartlek sessions: a staple to marathon training. On Saturdays, he would do a track or road run, and on Sundays, he would complete a whopping 40 km– nearly a full marathon– at his marathon pace. Kiptum’s training schedule included no rest days; he would rest when he began to show signs of pain or fatigue.

Kiptum’s endless exertion worried Hakizimana about long-term athletic sustainability. The coach suggested that Kiptum slow down to prevent burning out. Kiptum refused.

Marathon Career and Achievements:

Kelvin Kiptum ran and won three official marathons in the span of ten months.

On Dec. 4, 2022, he took first in the Valencia Marathon in Spain. He became the third ever person to break 2:02 in the marathon with a time of 2:01:53, after Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele. This race also marked the 2nd fastest second half in marathon history, with a time of 60:15, as well as the fastest marathon debut ever. On Apr. 23 the following year, Kiptum set the record at the London Marathon with 2:01:25, only 16 seconds behind the world record.

Finally, on Oct. 8, 2023, Kelvin Kiptum ran a 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon, breaking Kipchoge’s previous world record of 2:01:09 and making him the current marathon record holder.

Legacy:

Kelvin Kiptum was known for shattering both records and the norm. Unlike most elite marathon runners, Kiptum did not start out on the track. He was self-trained until 2021. His training style was unconventional and contrasted with Kipchoge’s 80-20 style training (80% easy runs, 20% hard runs). Kiptum was distinctive with courage, relentlessness, and athleticism. In the span of only 10 months, he went from debuting in the marathon to breaking the world record. Kelvin Kiptum had a long and prosperous career ahead of him that has been cut short. He will forever go down in marathon history as a preeminent legend.

Sources:

Gault, Jonathan. “Kelvin Kiptum (2:01:53) & Amane Beriso (2:14:58) Surprise to Win Super Fast 2022 Valencia Marathon.” LetsRun.Com, LetsRun.com, 12 Feb. 2024, www.letsrun.com/news/2022/12/kelvin-kiptum-20153-amane-beriso-21458-surprise-to-win-super-fast-2022-valencia-marathon/.

“Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya’s History-Maker Whose Bright Star Shone All Too Briefly.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 18 Feb. 2024, www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/feb/18/kelvin-kiptum-marathon-history-maker-world-record.

“Kelvin Kiptum: Profile: World Athletics.” Worldathletics.Org, worldathletics.org/athletes/kenya/kelvin-kiptum-14859609. Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.

Kelvin Kiptum: The Life of the Extraordinary Marathon World Record ..., olympics.com/en/news/kelvin-kiptum-the-life-of-the-extraordinary-marathon-record-holder-that-ended-too-soon. Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.

Kelvin Kiptum: The Remarkable 300km per Week Training Regime Of ..., olympics.com/en/news/kelvin-kiptum-incredible-300km-per-week-training-regime. Accessed 18 Feb. 2024.