Kelvin Kiptum’s parents are still looking for answers regarding the athlete’s death, one year later. The men’s marathon world record holder died on February 11 last year, and the parents are still asking questions about their son’s death and finances. Kelvin Kiptum’s parents still don’t have closure about their son’s tragic death. Photos by Rita Gitonga (TUKO.co.ke) and Sam Mellish. Source: Original Kelvin Kiptum’s parents still mourning son It’s been one year since Kelvin Kiptum, the men’s marathon world record holder tragically died in a road accident. On February 11, his family and the world of athletics came together to remember the athlete. While others celebrate his iconic achievements in sports, his parents are left with more questions. Kiptum lost his life alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana of Rwanda, per BBC Sport. Sadness still lingers in the hearts of his father, Mzee Samson Cheruiyot. Kiptum’s parents want answers about accident Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, Cheruiyot wants to know what happened to his child but no answers are forthcoming, prolonging the pain.
“It is so heartbreaking. Till date, we haven’t gotten a report of how my son, Kelvin Kiptum and Gervais [Hakizimana, Kiptum’s coach] of Rwanda died. We go to the grave every morning at six to tell my child to raise his head. Today, when I try to go see the car that killed my son in Kaptagat and Iten, it is just agony. Cheruiyot says he wanted to bring home the car that killed his son but it has been a frustrating journey. “I tried to show documents that prove I am the next of kin. I showed it to them, they dismissed it. I just want the car to be stored in the garage Kiptum built. The car is still in Kaptagat and I will never set foot in that place ever.” “If there’s a person who blocked my son’s car in Kaptagat, let the car rot and whoever blocked it will also rot. Kelvin Kiptum celebrates his world record in Chicago. Kelvin Kiptum’s career breakdown Kiptum competed in three marathons in his brief career and made history in all of them. He made his debut in Valencia where he recorded the fastest debut in a marathon with a time of 2:01:53. He also set a course record at the 2023 London Marathon (2:01:25) He became the first man to run in under two hours when he shattered the world record (2:00:35) at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023, per World Athletics.
by Martin Moses Edwin Kiplagat
