One year has passed since the tragic death of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, yet for his parents, the pain remains unbearable. The young athlete, who had taken the marathon world by storm, left behind not only a lasting legacy in athletics but also a grieving family struggling with hardship.
On the morning of February 11, 2024, news broke of a fatal accident that claimed the life of Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. The shock rippled across the world, as the Kenyan runner had only recently achieved an extraordinary feat setting the marathon world record at 2:00:35 in Chicago just four months earlier. His remarkable rise saw him clock 2:01:25 to win the London Marathon and 2:01:53 on his debut in Valencia, making him one of the greatest talents of his generation.
At the time of his passing, Kiptum was preparing for the Rotterdam Marathon, where he aimed to break the two-hour barrier officially. Hopes were also high that he would help Kenya retain its Olympic marathon gold in Paris later that year. However, those dreams ended in an instant, leaving his loved ones devastated.
For his father, Samson Cheruiyot, life has been a struggle since the loss of his son. He laments living in poverty despite Kiptum’s immense success. His home, once supported by his son’s earnings, is now in a dire state, with basic needs becoming a daily challenge. The kitchen, he says, has been damaged by rain, forcing them to live in difficult conditions. Without a refrigerator, even their food goes to waste.
Cheruiyot claims that while Kiptum’s widow and children are being supported, he and his wife have been left out. He recalls how his son had ensured they had health insurance, but since his passing, they have been unable to renew it. The situation has left him feeling abandoned, unsure of how to manage medical expenses in case of illness.
Questions have been raised regarding Kiptum’s wealth, with his father asserting that the athlete’s management company, Golazo, and agent Mark Corstjens, have withheld the millions he earned. Despite Kiptum’s financial success, his parents claim they have not received any financial assistance, leaving them in a state of despair.
However, Corstjens refutes these claims, stating that the Kelvin Kiptum Foundation was established to support the athlete’s family, including his parents. He insists that steps are being taken to ensure everyone benefits fairly. According to him, the foundation’s goal is to secure the future of Kiptum’s widow, children, and extended family, ensuring his legacy continues.
He further explains that funds have been allocated for Kiptum’s father to undertake specific projects. The management company, he says, is committed to fulfilling Kiptum’s dreams and supporting his family’s well-being in the long term.
While efforts are being made to honor Kiptum’s legacy, his parents continue to struggle, holding on to the hope that their son’s success will one day translate into a better life for them. As the world remembers the remarkable athlete a year after his untimely passing, his parents remain in mourning, longing for a future that could have been.
