Sharon Lokedi reveals Kelvin Kiptum’s special personality
13th February 2024
Lokedi was Kiptum's training mate in Kaptagat.
- Kelvin Kiptum was confirmed dead at the age of 24 after being involved in a grisly road accident.
- Kiptum’s coach Gervais Hakizimana also died in the accident along Eldoret-Kaptagat Road.
- The Kenyan was one of the most exciting new prospects to emerge in road running in recent years, breaking the marathon record in just his third race.
The athletic world is still in shock over the tragic death of the late marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his long-term coach Gervais Hakizimana which occurred on Sunday night.
One such person who has been immensely affected by Kiptum’s demise is his friend and training mate Sharon Lokedi.
The 2022 New York City Marathon Champion trained with the deceased during his last training session in Kaptagat where it is reported that Kiptum took part in a 35km run late last week which sadly turned out to be his last one.
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According to Lokedi, Kiptum was one kind of a runner, who had a good heart and made people happy.
“He was so happy, and jovial all the time. Always smiling, always wanting everybody to be good at what they do. It is very hard and very painful, so may he rest in peace,” commented a tearful Lokedi after viewing Kiptum’s body in Eldoret.
The one-time major marathon bronze medalist added that Kiptum’s training mates and those who interacted with the late runner in Kaptagat will miss him.
Lokedi broke into the limelight at the 2022 New York City Marathon when she produced a scintillating display to win the title in her debut, clocking 2:23.23 in the process.
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She studied at Kapkenda Girls, the same school that produced the likes of 10km reigning world record holder Agnes Jebet Ngetich.
Besides Lokedi, Kiptum also trained with the likes of
Caroline Chepkwony, Edward Cheserek and Eunice Chebichi. The athletes in their
camp were coached by the likes of Nicholas Chemogos and Nahashon Kibon.
One of his coaches has also revealed that the late Kiptum requested them and the drivers who helped them move around during training sessions to take a photo together.
The coach ended by divulging that the deceased thanked each one of them for the role that they had played in his career. Sadly, that turned out to be the last photo that they will ever take together.
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