Eliud Kipchoge opens up on threats, pain after false claims over Kiptum's death

Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge has revealed how his life was upended by false accusations that spread online following the death of fellow Kenyan marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum.

Kiptum, who was 24 at the time, died in a car crash on February 11, 2024 alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana, triggering widespread mourning across the athletics world.

According to police reports, the tragic road crash occurred at around 11pm at Kaptagat area along Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine road, where Kiptum and Hakizimana died on the spot due to the impact of the self-involved accident.

In the days that followed the news, Kipchoge says social media rumours wrongly linked him to the tragedy, leading to threats against him and his family.

Speaking about the ordeal in a video posted on the Engage Talk YouTube platform on Wednesday, Kipchoge recounted the moment he first learned about the crash.

“One day, I went to training in the morning. We were three. When I arrived at our gate, our boy who (was) always in our gate approached me and told me, Kelvin Kiptum has died through an accident, (with) his coach,” he narrated.

“I got shocked. I went to the house, got up the stairs, for only 15 minutes. When I came down, I opened my phone…social media was everywhere that Eliud killed Kiptum through road accident. And I was really down. Down to my knees.”

The marathon great said the claims left him struggling to comprehend why he would be accused of harming a fellow athlete.

“Because I asked, I'm the oldest athlete in this country, and the guy has only spent three years in running. I have spent 23 years in running, how on earth can I kill a small boy?” He posed.

Kipchoge said the rumours quickly escalated into threats, forcing his family to alter their daily routines.

“I was threatened, my family was threatened. We even changed; my boys used to bike to school. We changed, and my wife started to drop them to school because of a lot of threats actually around the estate and the whole community,” he said.

The accusations also took on a tribal dimension, he said, despite his long-standing stance against ethnic divisions.

“For the last 20 years, I have never been tribal. Because I have never attended a meeting where we discuss another community. But because I am a Nandi, I was discussed that this is the man who kills people,” recalled Kipchoge.

“When I was in town the following morning, everybody was actually running away, (that) ‘this one might actually take our lives again.’”

Despite the turmoil, Kipchoge said he found comfort in the fact that his children were largely shielded from the controversy.

“You know, a lot happened. But what actually made me happy again is that my boys did not recognize what was going on. My girl was in Form 4 at that time, at Kapsabet Girls. And, you know, the good thing with students, (is that) they don't carry phones. And she did not hear anything at all. That was my happiness,” said the marathoner.

He also drew strength from his mother, who reassured him during the difficult period.

“One morning, I got a call from my mother. She told me; ‘a lot is going on, but take heart, these things will pass.’ I didn't know a 70-year-old woman can get all these things from social media, but she got it,” he said.

Kipchoge said the experience taught him profound lessons about resilience, friendship and truth.

The marathon legend further urged people to remain steadfast even in difficult times.

“What I’m trying to say is this: Don't expect a good life. You know, they say there are problems and there are real problems. The rest are just problems. But there are those real, real problems. Where you need people to come together and to give you guidance. I was a strong man, but I think I broke. I sunk and then came back in 2024,” he said.

“Another thing is that have one face. Talk your mind. You know, the truth will never be discovered in two minutes or even one year. It will take 10 years. But stand on that truth. Stand on talking your mind all the time. That will take you far.”

Looking ahead, Kipchoge said his focus remains on using sport to inspire millions across the globe.

“What I have achieved actually, I don't brag (avout), my aim is to change the life of a human being. I need to change over 3 billion people's lives in this world. Through running and through sport. And that's what I'm planning to do in the next two years, by going round all the continents,” he said.

He also reflected on the importance of genuine friendships, saying the crisis revealed who truly stood by him.

“Surround yourself with the best people. Get two, three real friends who can provide the real solutions when those real problems come,” said the marathon great.

“Let me tell you, I have over 3 million followers, but when everything was going on on social media, few called me, few came to my camp. And we have over 30 people in my camp, but you know, 15% was with me. The rest were just scared.”