Eliud Kipchoge Opens Up on Threats After Kelvin Kiptum’s Death: ‘It Really Brought Me Down’

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has finally spoken about the threats directed at him and his family following the tragic death of fellow runner Kelvin Kiptum.

Kipchoge revealed that he endured a very difficult period after online accusations wrongly linked him to Kiptum’s passing, leaving him emotionally shaken and concerned for his family’s safety.

On February 11, 2024, marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum died in a devastating road accident in Kenya at just 24 years old.

Authorities reported that Kiptum lost control of his vehicle along the Eldoret–Kaptagat road, causing it to veer off the road before crashing into a large tree.

The crash also killed his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, while another passenger survived the incident but sustained serious injuries.

Eliud Kipchoge: My Family Faced Serious Threats

Kipchoge recalled how he first learned about Kiptum’s death, explaining that someone approached him with the news.

Initially, he misunderstood which Kelvin they were referring to. Once the details became clear, he was stunned by the tragedy. He returned home, went upstairs briefly, and later checked his phone where he confirmed that the young marathon star had indeed died in a road accident.

However, Kipchoge explained that the accident itself was not what affected him the most. Instead, it was the wave of accusations that spread quickly across social media platforms.

According to the two-time Olympic champion, some people began claiming he had a role in Kiptum’s death, allegations that deeply hurt him.

He described the moment as one of the lowest periods of his life, struggling to understand why he was being blamed for the death of a much younger athlete.

Kipchoge said he could not comprehend the accusations, pointing out that he had spent more than two decades representing Kenya in athletics, while Kiptum had only recently emerged on the international marathon scene.

The accusations quickly escalated beyond online chatter and eventually turned into threats directed at him and his loved ones.

Kipchoge revealed that the situation forced his family to change their daily routines. Previously, his children used to ride bicycles to school, but the threats made that impossible.

Instead, his wife had to start personally dropping them off and picking them up to ensure their safety.

He also expressed frustration that some people attempted to drag tribal issues into the matter, something he said he had never engaged in during his entire career.

Kipchoge noted that he has always stayed away from divisive community politics and has never attended meetings where groups discuss other communities negatively.

Yet despite this, he said some individuals targeted him simply because of his ethnic background.

A Difficult Time That Slowly Passed

Kipchoge also remembered how tense the atmosphere felt the following morning when he went into town.

He said people appeared frightened and uncertain, with many seemingly trying to avoid the situation altogether. The mood left him worried that the circumstances could spiral into something even more serious.

Despite the heavy pressure surrounding him, a few moments helped him regain some emotional strength.

One of those moments came from realizing that his children were largely unaware of the turmoil happening outside their home.

His daughter, who was in Form Four at the time, had not heard any of the rumors because students were not allowed to carry phones in school.

Knowing that she was shielded from the negativity gave him a sense of relief during a time when he felt overwhelmed.

Kipchoge also found comfort in a conversation with his mother.

He recalled receiving a phone call from her that morning, during which she acknowledged that the situation around him was tense and chaotic.

However, she encouraged him to stay strong and reminded him that difficult moments eventually pass.

Her words helped steady him emotionally and gave him hope that the storm would eventually calm.

Looking back, Kipchoge admitted the experience was painful, but he remains focused on moving forward while continuing to represent Kenya in athletics with the same dedication he has shown for more than two decades.