The tragic death of a marathon superstar and the true price of running – Howard Chua-Eoan
18th February 2024 by Editor BizNews
In a tragic turn of fate, Kelvin Kiptum, the rising star who shattered marathon records, met his untimely demise alongside his coach in a car accident. His potential rivalry with Eliud Kipchoge, a beacon of inspiration in the running world, captivated enthusiasts and fuelled the competitive spirit. Nike’s commemorative shoes, a testament to their impact, now stand as relics of a lost dream. Howard Chua-Eoan, once a passionate runner himself, reflects on his own journey, the highs of the sport, and the toll it takes on the body. Despite the physical trials and tribulations, the allure of running lingers, evoking memories of exhilarating moments when every step brought one closer to the realm of the extraordinary.
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By Howard Chua-Eoan
On Oct. 8, Kelvin Kiptum stunned the world by clocking 2 hours and 36 seconds in a competitive marathon, shaving 34 seconds off the record set just over a year before by the greatest athlete of the sport, fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge. It was only Kiptum’s third marathon. Just last week, the International Association of Athletic Federations certified the result, officially making Kiptum the world-record holder in the 42.195 kilometer (26 mile 385 yard) foot race.
Over the weekend, the running world was stunned by news that Kiptum, 24, had died after he reportedly lost control of his car late in the evening near his training camp in Kenya. His coach Gervais Hakizimana also perished in the accident. So many possibilities have been lost. He was preparing to challenge the under-two-hour marathon-length record set in 2019 by Kipchoge in a non-competitive, carefully calibrated, sponsored event. Kiptum’s boosters were saying he was bound for glory and would break the sub-2 bound under real race conditions. Maybe even at the Olympics in Paris this summer.
The words of A.E. Housman’s poem, “To an Athlete Dying Young,” remain a poignant tribute: “Now you will not swell the rout/ Of lads that wore their honours out, /Runners whom renown outran/ And the name died before the man.”
The prospective rivalry between Kiptum and Kipchoge, who will turn 40 in November, had been tantalizing, especially to the more than $15 billion running shoe industry and, in particular, Nike Inc., which dominates the market by miles over rivals like Adidas AG and Puma. The Oregon-based company released a statement: “Kelvin was one of those special athletes who showed the world what we can achieve. He was not only a beloved member of the Nike family, but an inspiration to all. Kelvin’s impact on running will never be forgotten.”
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