Reason Kipchoge mourned Kiptum for only 15 minutes.

Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge has once again spoken about the ordeal he went through following the tragic death of his compatriot, Kelvin Kiptum, in February.

Kiptum, the marathon world record holder, died in a road accident along with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. 

Eliud Kipchoge, considered the greatest marathoner of all time, was accused of having a hand in the 24-year-old’s death, allegations the 39-year-old dismissed. 

The five-time Berlin marathon champion says he only mourned Kiptum for 15 minutes following the accusations.

“12th of February was really bad. I mourned Kiptum for only 15 minutes. I was in training with my boys when the news broke. At first, we thought it was our neighbour in Nandi called Kiptum, before we learnt Kiptum died in a road accident…I was in shock…I rushed home, took a shower and took my phone. Immediately I got my phone, instead of mourning the death of somebody, then a whole thing actually came to my side that I am the one who killed him,” Kipchoge told NTV.

He said the talk was weird considering the time. “I tracked the time, the guy died about 11pm but 30 minutes past midnight, the discussions were there. Many people discussed how to burn my house, my children, and also the camp.”

The four-time London marathon champion said he wasn’t afraid of death, adding that Kiptum’s death was even politicised. “My life is easy to handle. Yes, it felt scary [to receive the threats], but I go to training at six o’clock. If you want to kill me, you can find me on the way. I do not have bulletproof or bodyguards, it is easy. I was surprised to read all those things. Kiptum’s death was even politicised. My training mates were in that thing that Eliud has done this. …it’s life. In life they say 97 per cent of the people are negative thinkers, only three per cent are positive”.

Eliud Kipchoge who has resumed training following Paris Olympic Games setback, is motivated to keep going as he eyes a better run next season. He believes that he still has more left in the tank to do something astounding before exiting the marathon stage. 

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