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2/17/2024

The mysterious death of Kenya's marathon world-record holder: Kelvin Kiptum's father calls for a police probe as he reveals four strangers came 'looking' for his son, 24, days before fatal car crash

Kiptum's death is thought to be an accident but his father (pictured with Kelvin wife and children) suspects foul play

He urged authorities to investigate circumstances surrounding his son's death 

The shocking death of Kenyan marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum this weekend has left his family wracked with grief - and suspicious that their superstar was killed in circumstances tainted by foul play. 

Kiptum, 24, died in a brutal car accident, which also killed his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana, in the heart of the high-altitude region of Kaptagat in Western Kenya, long renowned as a training base for the best distance runners the world over.

His death prompted an outpouring of grief and heartfelt tributes from family, friends, fellow competitors and sporting greats, including the likes of Sir Mo Farah, who spoke of his 'amazing, special talent' and said the world record holder had been robbed of 'an incredible career'.

The fatal smash was quickly chalked up as an accident by the authorities, who said the dad-of-two had lost control of his car and veered off the road, hitting a tree.  

But now Kiptum's father has called for an investigationinto the circumstances surrounding his son's death, claiming a group of unidentified men had come looking for the athlete not long before the horror car crash.

Speaking to Kenya's Citizen TV, Kiptum's father Samson Cheruiyot said four men descended on his house unannounced one day and said they were looking for the runner.

'There are people who came home who were looking for Kiptum but they refused to identify themselves,' Cheruiyot said.

'I asked them to provide identification, but they opted to leave. It was a group of four people.'

The suspicious father said the men refused to say why they were looking for his son, and left when they realised Cheruiyot would not provide any details until they revealed their identities. 

He is now pushing the authorities to investigate his son's death, believing the two incidents may have been linked - though he has given no evidence to explain why the men may have been looking for his son. 

Horrendous images showed the extent of the damage to Kiptum's car following the collision with a tree. 

The front of the blue Toyota Premio was completely crumpled and the windscreen smashed in, while the roof had been torn in two, such was the force of the impact. 

According to Kenneth Kimaiyo - one of the first responders at the crash site - via Nation, Kiptum's body was found under the vehicle with the runner already dead.

Coach Hakizimana had managed to climb free of the wreckage and had crawled to the top of a nearby mound in an attempt to attract attention, but he later died of his injuries. 

The car has now been towed to a police station for further investigation while the bodies of Kiptum and Hakizimana undergo post-mortem examinations.  

However, a third passenger named Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei, somehow survived the incident with relatively minor injuries. The 24-year-old, who works in Civil Aviation Management according to LinkedIn, was taken to nearby Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret for treatment, and according to Kenyan press has now been discharged.

But it is unknown why she was in the car with the athlete and his coach, and she is yet to issue a statement to the press about the incident. 

Kiptum's wife, Asenath Cheruiyot, said her husband had planned to take her to Rotterdam in April, where he hoped to become the first man to run a marathon in less than two hours under standard race conditions. 

She added that Kiptum was also financing her business ventures, and was in the process of renovating the family home. 

'At times I would tell him he's working out too much,' she said. 'He loved his children so much, I don't know what I would tell them.'

Revealing the pair's last phonecall prior to the crash on Sunday just hours before his death, Asenath said Kiptum had promised to buy their children new watches after he had to cancel a planned family day out.

Having gone to bed, she was later awoken around 11pm by her mother-in-law frantically knocking on the door and was informed of her husband's death. 

'He hoped to run in sub-two hours. He was working hard and sometimes I told him he trained too much and when the time comes he will be too tired,' she said.

'But he would say 'no, it's fine' and that he is supposed to go 10 laps. I used to tell him to rest on Sundays, but he would refuse.

'We had planned to go with him to Rotterdam in April - and now it is not possible,' Asenath told African outlet Nation. 

While the world awaits to see more details of Kiptum's death unravel, tributes continue to pour in for the fallen athlete.

(02/13/24) Views: 380
David Averre (Daily Mail)

Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum dies as tragedy rocks athletics world

Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach died in a car crash in Kenya late Sunday, a fellow athlete who went to the hospital and saw Kiptum's body said.

Kiptum was 24 and on course to be a superstar of long-distance running.

Kiptum and his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana were killed in the crash at around 11 p.m., said Kenyan runner Milcah Chemos, who was at the hospital where the bodies were taken.

The crash happened on a road between the towns of Eldoret and Kaptagat in western Kenya, she said, in the heart of the high-altitude region that's renowned as a training base for long distance runners.

Chemos said she was among a group of athletes who had gone to the hospital in Eldoret after hearing the news of the crash. Family members of Kiptum were also with them to identify his body, Chemos said.

Kenyan media reported that a third person, a woman, was in the car and was taken to the same hospital with serious injuries.

Kiptum was the first man to run the marathon in under 2 hours, 1 minute. He set the new world record of 2:00.35 at the Chicago Marathon in October, beating the mark of fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge.

Kiptum's record was ratified by international track federation World Athletics last week.

Kenyan athletics federation president Jackson Tuwei said he had sent a team of officials to the area after being informed of the late-night accident.

Kiptum had immediate success by running the fastest time ever by a marathon debutant at the 2022 Valencia Marathon. He won the London and Chicago races last year, two of the most prestigious marathons in the world.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe was one of the first to offer his condolences in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana," Coe wrote. "On behalf of all World Athletics we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation."

"It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon World Record, that I was able to officially ratify his historic time. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly," Coe wrote.

(02/11/24) Views: 210

Running date ideas

Sometimes staring across a table at someone you’ve only just met, as you delicately attempt to eat in a way that won’t give them the ick, can be too much pressure for a date early on in a relationship. 

Instead of meeting at a restaurant, why not meet for a first date run instead? Other than having to make your debut in lycra, there’s not much else to put you off a running date—unless, of course, you’re more into your 4K TV than your 5K runs. 

Choose your running date route

First things first—you’ll have sussed out if your date is into running during those first Bumble chats, or at an early in-person meet-up, so suggesting an active date shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. 

But be specific—rather than just saying “shall we go for a run?” suggest a route, a meeting point and even, if you like to plan ahead, a spot for a little post-run refuel. 

It might be a nice date idea to explore a new area together as you run. Perhaps look for a local park in a part of town neither of you know well. Just make sure that there are good running routes and most importantly, nice resturants or cafes to stop in after. 

You don’t want the run to be so short that it’s over too soon, or too long that it becomes hard work and not enjoyable. A 5k route feels about right for a first date run. 

How to start a first date run

Arrange to meet somewhere that you can warm up together first. You can get the small talk out of the way and break the ice, so that when you do set off you can settle into a more natural kind of conversation.

Perhaps for the warm up stretch, you could both alternately suggest exercises as a cute way of getting to know each other. Make sure you get those hamstrings nice and loose!

It’s a good idea for one person to take the lead and navigate during your running date—you can swap next time so it’s equal. But this means you both aren’t looking at your phones and potentially falling out over directions when you’ve only just met!

Have a look at the route together before you set off, so you know what to expect. And be willing to compromise or change your plans if your date doesn’t fancy the uphill section. And once you do set off, set a good pace. Go slow enough to be able to comfortably chat as you go.

Remember this is a running date, not a race

If you’re a sporty person, it can be easy to turn a first date run into a competition, even without meaning to. You want to show how fit you are, how fast you are—you want to impress your date, it’s only natural! But you’re not really here for a workout–though that is a nice bonus–it’s a date, and getting to know each other should be the priority. Don’t run off ahead, and if your date is struggling to keep pace, slow down. Don’t be afraid to walk for a bit of the date run too, particularly if there’s nice scenery.

How to make a running date more challenging

This might be best saved for a third or fourth date, but setting goals and challenging each other can keep running dates feeling fresh—even if it isn’t the first time. Running with a partner can be a great way to push yourself to reach new goals. Before you start your date, set a goal for the distance or time you want to run, and challenge each other to reach it. This can help motivate you both to push yourself and make the experience more enjoyable.

How about incorporating interval training? Interval training involves alternating between periods of high-intensity exercise and recovery. This can be a fun way to mix up your run and challenge yourselves. You can sprint for a short distance, walk, then sprint again.

Another good idea for your running date is to make it a game: Try playing tag or running backwards for short distances. You can also add challenges like stopping to do push-ups or jumping jacks every kilometer. Yes, this is fun for some people!

Running date chat: what do you talk about as you go?

There’s a lovely cadence to running, and once you relax into it, conversation can begin to flow without having to really think about it. If you’re struggling though, a great first date conversation starter could be asking about their fitness journey. Have they always enjoyed running? Have they ever completed a marathon? What do they like to listen to as they run?

And on that note—if you don’t fancy chatting on your running date, you could always make a playlist that you both listen to. Sharing music can be a nice way to share something of yourself and express your personality. Just keep it upbeat and energetic! 

Plan a post-run treat

The date doesn’t end when you cross the imaginary finish line! Hopefully you’ll have identified a cute spot to recharge and refuel in advance, or even spied somewhere during the run that you can head back to. Take a leisurely walk there, cooling down as you go and then enjoy treating yourself. You deserve it! Hopefully, if this is a first date run, you’ll have bonded so much during the running part of the date, that by the time you get to the sitting down opposite each other part of the date, you’ll be able to just relax and enjoy each other’s company. 

(02/14/24) Views: 120
Bumble

Women’s 60m hurdles world record falls at 2024 Millrose Games

Bahamian hurdler Devynne Charlton broke the women's 60m hurdles world record, which has stood since 2008.

Bahamian hurdler Devynne Charlton kicked off Sunday’s Millrose Games in New York City in record-setting style. Charlton broke the women’s 60m hurdles world record in 7.67 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Sweden’s Susanna Kallur in 2008 by a hundredth of a second.

Charlton, the world indoor silver medalist in the 60m hurdles event, secured her victory by 0.12 of a second over the two-time world 100m hurdles champion Danielle Williams of Jamaica, with American Tia Jones taking third place in the same time of 7.80 seconds.

“I knew I had it in me, but it took a lot to put that race together,” said Charlton in a post-race interview with NBC Sports. “I felt good in my prep leading up to today. I got the start that I needed. I just held it. I can’t say it was more than that.”

With only three weeks remaining until the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Charlton is poised to be one of the favorites to win the women’s 60m hurdles.

Charlton is the sole Bahamian athlete to hold a world indoor record.

In the men’s 60m, Andre De Grasse finished eighth in a season’s best time of 6.62 seconds, only 0.02 seconds off his personal best of 6.62 from 2015. 

(02/12/24) Views: 109
Marley Dickinson

Sarah Chepchirchir slapped with an eight-year ban by AIU

39-year-old runner Sarah Chepchirchir has been slapped with an eight-year ban for violating the anti-doping rules for the second time following her first ban which happened from 2019 to 2023.

The Athletics Integrity Unit has slapped Sarah Chepchirchir of Kenya with an eight-year ban for violating an anti-doping rule.

Chepchirchir was banned for the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Testosterone) and her results from November 5, 2023have been disqualified.

The AIU reported that the 39-year-old runner provided a urine sample on November 5, 2023, after competing at the Bangsaen42 Chonburi Marathon in Chonburi, Thailand.

An analysis of the sample by the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) accredited laboratory in Bangkok, Thailand (the “Laboratory”), revealed the presence of Metabolites of Testosterone consistent with exogenous origin (the “Adverse Analytical Finding”).

As per the AIU, testosterone is a Prohibited Substance under the WADA 2023 Prohibited List under the category S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids. It is a Non-Specified Substance prohibited at all times.

Meanwhile, the AIU further noted that the Chepchirchir previously served a period of Ineligibility of four (4) years from February 6, 2019 to February 5, 2023 for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.2 of the 2018 IAAF Rules (equivalent to Rule 2.2 of the Rules) (Use of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method) based on abnormal values in the hematological module of her Athlete Biological Passport.

“A period of Ineligibility of eight (8) years commencing on December 22, 2023, until December 21, 2031, and disqualification of the Athlete’s results on and since November 5, 2023, with all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points prize, and appearance money.

“The Athlete is deemed to have accepted the above Consequences and to have waived her right to have those Consequences determined by the Disciplinary Tribunal at a hearing,” the AIU said regarding her punishment.

(02/13/24) Views: 101
Abigael Wuafula

Josh Kerr breaks Mo Farah's indoor two-mile record at Millrose Games Feb 11

Great Britain's Josh Kerr broke Mo Farah's world two-mile indoor record as he won at the Millrose Games in New York.

World 1500m gold medallist Kerr ran eight minutes 0.67 seconds to beat Farah's mark of 8:03.40 from 2015.

"It was always going to be really tough, small margins," Kerr, 26, said.

Kerr's fellow Scot Laura Muir set a new British indoor record as she won the women's two-mile race after Ethiopia's Medina Eisa was disqualified.

Eisa was first home in New York but cut in too early on the opening lap.

Muir, 30, was promoted from second to first after finishing in nine minutes and 4.84 seconds.

The Olympic 1500m silver medallist, who won the Wanamaker Mile at last year's Millrose Games, will look to win the world indoor title in Glasgow next month.

In the men's two-mile race, Kerr charged at the finish to defeat Grant Fisher, who set an American national record of 8:03.62.

Farah set the previous world indoor best at Birmingham nine years ago.

"I had to roll with the punches at the start of my career - pretty good but not world class," said Kerr. 

"And then to be world class and now world champion... I'm having fun with it, creating big goals to get myself out the door and prove I'm not all talk."

(02/11/24) Views: 100

Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to retire after Paris Olympics

Fraser-Pryce has won eight Olympic medals and 10 world championship titles throughout her 19-year career.

One of the greatest female sprinters in the history of the sport will be hanging up her spikes after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Two-time Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica has amassed accolades throughout her renowned career. She has won eight Olympic medals and 17 world championship medals throughout her 19-year pro career.

In an interview with Essence.com, Fraser-Pryce said it was time for her to prioritize family in her decision to retire. “My son needs me. My husband and I have been together since before I won [gold] in 2008. He has sacrificed for me. We’re a partnership, a team. And it’s because of that support that I’m able to do the things that I have been doing for all these years.”

Fraser-Pryce soared onto the scene at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she was crowned the fastest woman in the world, winning the women’s 100m. Four years later, she defended her Olympic 100m title in London and added a silver medal in the 200m. Fraser-Pryce was nicknamed the Pocket Rocket for her explosive starts and speed, and her small stature. Her personal best of 10.60 seconds makes her the third-fastest woman in history.

Fraser-Pryce’s career medal haul

Olympics

Three gold: 100m (2008, 2012), 4x100m relay (2020)

Four silver: 100m (2020), 200m (2012), 4x100m relay (2012, 2016)

One bronze: 100m (2016)

World Championships

10 gold: 100m (2009, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2022), 200m (2013), 4x100m relay (2009, 2013, 2015, 2019)

Five silver: 200m (2022), 4x100m relay (2007, 2011, 2022, 2023)

One bronze: 100m (2023)

In 2019, she became the oldest woman to win the 100m world championship title in Doha. She extended that record by winning again at 35 in Eugene in 2022–14 years after her first Olympic gold. 

Fraser-Pryce added that this year’s Olympics in Paris is about showing people that you stop when you decide. “I want to finish on my own terms,” said the 37-year-old sprinter.

Despite preparing to leave the sport in the rear-view mirror, Fraser-Pryce will still be one of the favourites to win a medal in the women’s 100m in Paris. “There’s not a day I’m getting up to go practise and I’m like, ‘I’m over this,'” she said.

(02/09/24) Views: 99
Marley Dickinson

World record holder Christian Coleman going for third victory at Millrose Games

World record holder Christian Coleman will be aiming for his third straight victory at the Millrose Games after bagging wins in 2022 and 2023.

World record-holder Christian Coleman will be seeking his third straight 60m victory at the Millrose Games, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in New York on Sunday, February 11.

Coleman will be opening his season at the event after a mixed 2023 season where he lost some races and emerged victorious in others.

He completed his season at the Prefontaine Classic, the Diamond League final meeting where he stunned triple World Champion Noah Lyles.

At the Millrose Games, he will be up against Canada’s Olympic 200m champion Andre De Grasse, who has not run the 60m at Millrose since 2016.

Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake, who set a PB of 6.45 in his first-ever indoor 60m race last weekend in Boston, should also prove to be a nightmare for the American.

Meanwhile, Tia Jones turned heads in Boston last week when she sped to victory in the 60m hurdles, clocking 7.72 – just 0.04 shy of the world indoor record.

At the Millrose Games, Jones will take on the likes of two-time world champion Danielle Williams, two-time world indoor champion Nia Ali, defending Millrose champion Devynne Charlton of The Bahamas, and NCAA champion Ackera Nugent of Jamaica.

Sprint sensation Julien Alfred is opening her season after an incredible 2023 campaign. The Saint Lucian star, who was undefeated last year in the 60m and 100m until placing fifth in the 100m at the World Championships in Budapest, will line up against Jamaicans Shashalee Forbes and Briana Williams and US contenders Tamara Clark and English Gardner.

In the men’s 60m hurdles, 2022 world silver medallist Trey Cunningham of the US, who is second on the world list, will take on a strong slate that includes 2023 world bronze medallist Daniel Roberts.

On her part, Alicia Monson broke the North American record in the 3000m last year at Millrose and is on a mission to win her third straight title on this track – with a record perhaps in a different event.

The two-mile distance is one more lap than 3000m and her ultimate goal is the continental record of 9:10.28. Monson will be in fast company with Olympic 1500m silver medalist Laura Muir of Great Britain, US mile record-holder Nikki Hiltz, and world U20 5000m champion Medina Eisa of Ethiopia.

World indoor silver medalist Elle St Pierre will vie for her third title in the women’s Wanamaker Mile with the race being a rematch between herself, and Jessica Hull of Australia, who won their showdown in the 3000m last week with an Oceanian indoor record.

Olympic 800m bronze medalist Raevyn Rogers, who contested the 400m last week in Boston, returns to her specialty at Millrose and will face Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin.

Noah Kibet and Bryce Hoppel, the world indoor silver and bronze medalists respectively, will clash in the men’s 800m.

(02/10/24) Views: 99
Abigael Wuafula

Zurich Marathon organizers set to honor Kelvin Kiptum and his coach on Sunday

The Zurich Marathon race organizers have announced that they will honor Kelvin Kiptum and his coach as they mark their 39th edition on Sunday.

The Zurich Marathon race organizers are set to honor world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana as they mark their 39th edition on Sunday, February 18.

In a post on their X (Twitter) handle, it was noted that they would give their last respects to the fallen marathoner who is also the world’s fastest marathoner before starting the race.

“On Sunday before the start (8h30) of the #ZurichMaratónSevilla24 we will pay tribute to Kelvin Kiptum, world record holder, and his coach, who died yesterday in a traffic accident in Kenya. We will observe 42 seconds of silence, as many as km of the race, in his memory,” the post read.

Despite Kiptum never running there, the organizers have observed the great significance the Kenyan had brought to the world of marathon running.

The reigning Chicago Marathon champion had so much potential and he would have shown us wonders, something that will never be fully realized from him.

He just turned 24 in December and he had a bright future ahead of him considering less than a year after making his marathon debut in the streets of Valencia, he ran faster than any man in history, taking over half a minute off the world record with his astonishing winning time of 2:00:35 in the Chicago Marathon last October.

In running the first sub 2:01, Kiptum bettered by 34 seconds the 2:01:09 set by five-time Berlin Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, in September 2022, running ever closer to breaking the two-hour barrier in a legitimate race.

His sudden death now ends that teasing possibility of going head-to-head with Kipchoge at the Olympic Games in Paris, France later this year, where Kipchoge is looking to become the first athlete in history to win three successive Olympic marathon titles with Kiptum appearing to be the athlete most capable of stopping him.

(02/13/24) Views: 97
Abigael Wuafula

Former world record holder Dennis Kimetto will race for 1st time since 2019 this weekend at Lagos Marathon

2013 Tokyo and Chicago Marathon champion Dennis Kimetto has confirmed where he will be competing after a five-year hiatus due to injuries.

The excitement is building for the 9th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, scheduled for Saturday 10 February with the confirmation of over 81 world-class, Gold Label elite runners ready to descend on the course.

One notable name is Dennis Kimetto, a former world record holder over the marathon distance. The 2013 Tokyo and Chicago Marathon champion returns to competitive running since 2019 and he will hope to impress one more time.

Kimetto has suffered a series of injuries which started back in 2015. At the time he was not at his best as he only completed the London Marathon, finishing third, and failing to complete the IAAF World Championships marathon in Beijing.

Kimetto also failed to finish the Fukuoka Marathon in December of the same year where he stopped at the 5-kilometer mark after dropping off the pace at 2 kilometers due to an injury.

After finishing ninth at the 2016 London Marathon, Kimetto opted to run in the Chicago Marathon where he unfortunately pulled out ahead of the race, citing a stress fracture in his left leg.

His injury problems continued in 2017, with a knee injury forcing him to withdraw from the Boston Marathon field. The 2014 Berlin Marathon champion failed to finish both the Chicago Marathon in October and the Honolulu Marathon in December.

At the Vienna City Marathon in April 2018, Kimetto dropped out before the 25-kilometer mark. He then went to compete at the Shanghai Marathon where he finished 10th in 2:14:54.

In 2019, he tried making a comeback at the Daegu Marathon where he did not finish the race. He now returns with the hope of making waves like he did during his prime days.

Meanwhile, the field also includes 29 female runners and promises a highly competitive and potentially record-breaking event.

“The confirmation of over 81 Gold Label runners is a positive development for the 9th edition. As we prepare for the 10th edition, our goal is to elevate the race from Gold Label to Platinum Label status,” Yusuf Ali, the Race General Manager and former African record holder in the Long Jump said in an official statement issued.

(02/09/24) Views: 96
Abigael Wuafula