Kiptum made worldwide headlines in October when he gained the Chicago marathon in 2 hours and 35 seconds, making him the person to run an official race in below 2 hours and 1 minute, and overtaking fellow Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge’s file. A yr prior, Kiptum had by no means even run a marathon race.

“I didn’t know I’d be a terrific marathon runner,” he informed a reporter after his Chicago victory, quietly describing his ability as one thing that got here naturally.

David Rudisha, a two-time Olympic champion runner for Kenya within the 800-meter race, wrote on X that he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by Kiptum and Hakizimana’s deaths. “It is a large loss,” he stated.

Raila Odinga, the previous prime minister of Kenya and a outstanding opposition chief within the nation, known as Kiptum a “exceptional particular person” and “Kenyan Athletics icon.”

“Our nation grieves the profound lack of a real hero,” he stated on social media.

What occurs when runners cross a marathon end line? We’ve obtained information.

Kiptum was slated to run the 2024 Rotterdam Marathon within the Netherlands this April, and had stated he was aiming to run the race in below two hours. He additionally had his eye on the Paris Olympics this summer season.

“I’ve simply began my coaching, and I hope to go there and do my greatest,” he informed World Athletics in an interview printed in December. “Perhaps to beat my time. I feel I attempt every time to push my restrict.”