Kelvin Kiptum, Marathon World Record Holder, Dies at 24 in Car Crash

Kelvin Kiptum, who holds the world-record time for a men's marathon, died Sunday at 24 years old, per Evelyn Watta of Olympics.com.

Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, died after a car accident in Kenya.

Kiptum set the world record during the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 8 when he ran the course in two hours and 35 seconds. He cleared the previous record, which was held by two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, by 34 seconds.

Issy Ronald of CNN reported at the time that it was just his third competitive marathon of his career.

"I knew I was coming for a course record, but a world record—I am so happy," Kiptum said after breaking the record. "A world record was not on my mind today, but I knew one day I would be a world record-holder."

Watta noted World Athletics just ratified his record last week.