Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot (December 2, 1999 to February 11, 2024) was a celebrated Kenyan long-distance runner. He was the world marathon record holder at the time of his untimely death through fatal road accident. Kelvin made history as the only athlete to run a marathon in a record-legible race, in less than 2:01.00.
He first made history at his maiden marathon, 2022 Valencia Marathon, when he became the fastest ever debutant and the only third man in history to clock below 2:02.00. Kelvin also then clocked the fourth-quickest time ever.
Between December 2022 and October 2023, Kiptum won three marathons, including two famous top-rank World Marathon Majors (WMM). He achieved three of the six fastest times in history, running under 2:02:00 in each race becoming the first man ever to achieve the fete.
In recognition to his success, Kelvin was in December 2023 voted the World Athlete of the Year 2023 (Men’s out of stadia).
Birthday
Kiptum was born on 2 December 1999 in Chepkorio village, Elgeyo-Marakwet county. He was 24 years old when he passed on.
Kelvin Kiptum Family
Parents and siblings
The Kenyan marathon sensation came from an athletic family. His father Samson Cheruiyot was a runner while his mother Mary Kangogo was a volleyballer.
Kelvin has three siblings, one brother and two sisters. No information about them is available at the moment.
Wife and children
Kelvin is survived by his wife Asenath Rotich and two children.
Kelvin Kiptum career
Early stages
Growing up in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, the young Kelvin was interested in athletics. He would barefooted follow athletes training along the forest and village trails whenever they passed by while he was herding his family’s livestock.
Kelvin first participated in a competition in 2013, while aged 13 years, in the Family Bank Eldoret Half Marathon. He finished in position 10 and 12 in the following year. In 2018, the self-coached Kiptum got his first win when he finished the same race with a time of 1:02:01.
He first featured in international level in March 2019 at the Lisbon Half Marathon where he crossed the finishing line fifth with a personal best of 59:54. In the same year, Kelvin took part in six other races winning the Kass marathon in November. Kiptum set a personal best in the half marathon, in December 2020 when he cut the tape at 58:42 to finish in sixth position at the Valencia Half marathon. In 2021 he clocked 59:35 in Lens, France finishing first and 59:02 in Valencia again finishing in eighth position
Third man to break 2:02 marathon barrier: 2022
In December 2022, Kelvin debuted in the 42 km marathon at Valencia marathon winning the race in 2:01:53, the fourth-fastest time ever. He consequently became the only third man in history to run a marathon under two hours and two minutes after Eliud Kipchoge (2:01:09 then WR and 2:01:39) and Kenenisa Bekele (2:01:41). It is worth mentioning that Kelvin crossed the line more than a minute ahead of the runner-up Tamirat Tola, the 2022 Word marathon champion and the pre-race favorite.
World marathon record and first man under 2:01: 2023
In April 2023, Kiptum was at it again, this time as a debutant in a World Marathon Major in London Marathon. He won the race in 2:01:25 missing the world record by only 16 seconds to become the second-fastest in history. On 8 October 2023 in his third marathon and second World Marathon Major in Chicago Marathon, Kelvin emerged victorious again. He as well set a new World Record when he cut the tape in 2:00:35 (34 seconds less the previous Eliud Kipchoge’s record) to become the first man to run a marathon under two hours and one minute.
Kelvin Kiptum Achievements and Medals
Achievements
- Highest World Ranking: First in marathon (2023).
- Personal Best: 2:00:35 World record (Chicago 2023).
Awards
- World Athlete of the Year 2023: Men’s out of stadia.
- SOYA Award for Best Athlete of the Year 2023 (posthumous)
Medals
- World Marathon Majors: 2X Gold (2023 London, 2023 Chicago).
Kelvin Kiptum Death
The Kenyan marvel together with his coach Gervais Hakizimana passed on following a tragic road accident in Kaptangat, Kenya on the night of February 11, 2024. He was just 24 years old at the time of his death.