David Rudisha honors Kelvin Kiptum's remarkable marathon legacy
The remarkable legacy left by Kelvin Kiptum, who completed three marathons in under two hours and two minutes, drew a massive crowd at his funeral. David Rudisha commemorates the unique talent that left a lasting impact on the world of marathons.
The funeral of Kelvin Kiptum drew a large crowd of thousands, showing how much of an impact the marathon world record holder had on his sport.
Kiptum's tragic death at the young age of 24 in a road accident has deeply affected the distance running community, especially in his home country of Kenya.
Double Olympic gold medalist David Rudisha shared with CNN his struggle to understand the reasons behind his compatriot's sudden passing. Sometimes, he admits, it's difficult to find the answers.
Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana tragically lost their lives in a car accident near Eldoret in the Rift Valley, as confirmed by the authorities.
The star athlete made headlines last year by breaking the world record in only his third marathon race. He ran an impressive time of two hours and 35 seconds in Chicago, after setting a course record in London a few months earlier.
Looking ahead to the coming year, Kiptum had set his sights on achieving the incredible feat of running a marathon in under two hours. He was also considered a top contender for winning the gold medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Kiptum died in a road accident last month aged 24.
Kiptum died in a road accident last month aged 24.
Kiptum was truly a remarkable athlete, standing out even in a country known for its exceptional runners. His career was tragically short, but he accomplished so much in that time.
Rudisha, who is a world record holder over 800 meters, expressed his sadness over the past few weeks for Kenyans. He mentioned how difficult it was to lose a talented and young athlete. He highlighted Kelvin's exceptional talent by noting that he had run only three marathons, all of them under two hours and two minutes. This truly showcased Kelvin's remarkable abilities.
Kiptum broke Eliud Kipchoge’s old world record of 2:01:09 with apparent ease, effortlessly pulling away from his rivals in the closing stages of major marathons. He eclipsed a man many believed to be the greatest of all time.
Although Kiptum never had the opportunity to race against the 39-year-old Kipchoge, it was clear that he would go on to succeed his compatriot as the standout distance runner of his generation.
"He was incredibly driven," Rudisha recalls. "You could see that he had great potential. Even though he was only around for a short while and not well-known at first, he was quickly gaining fame. He was a charming young man."
Rudisha won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016.
Rudisha won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Rudisha, known for setting a new 800-meter world record at the London 2012 Olympics, hasn't competed since 2017, following his successful defense of his Olympic title in Rio.
Now, he enjoys watching athletics competitions worldwide and is rooting for 19-year-old Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who is expected to bring home Kenya's fifth consecutive gold medal in the 800 meters this year.
No athlete has come close to breaking Rudisha's world record since it was set. However, the 35-year-old is open to the idea of another athlete surpassing it in the future.
Rudisha believes that it would be exciting for fans to witness a new world record. He acknowledges that advancements in technology, such as improved shoes and better stadiums, could contribute to someone breaking his record. He is looking forward to the day when he can congratulate the athlete who achieves this feat.
Editor's P/S:
The article is profoundly moving, highlighting the tragic loss of a promising young athlete, Kelvin Kiptum. His untimely demise has shaken the running community, particularly in his native Kenya. Kiptum's exceptional talent and determination were evident in his remarkable achievements, including breaking the world marathon record in just his third race. His potential seemed boundless, and he was poised to become a legend in the sport.
Rudisha's reflections on Kiptum's passing are particularly poignant. He acknowledges the immense potential that Kiptum possessed and the gap that his absence will leave in the running world. Rudisha's own struggles to understand the reasons behind Kiptum's sudden passing resonate with the sense of loss and unanswered questions that many feel in the wake of such a tragedy. The article serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with those we love.
