- The Running Goat Co.
- Posts
- The Herd | Edition 36
The Herd | Edition 36
Kelvin Kiptum & Running in the Dark
The Herd | Edition No. 36
Happy Saturday and welcome back to The Herd! Today we honor the impactful, yet brief life of Kelvin Kiptum. Be sure to stick around for this weeks tips and tricks section - with hour daylight hours shrinking, it’s more important than ever to stay safe on the road! Let’s dive in!
Kelvin Kiptum
Kelvin Kiptum, born on December 2, 1999, in rural Chepsamo village, Keiyo South, Kenya, grew up immersed in the celebrated running culture of Kenya’s Rift Valley. Raised in a modest family, Kiptum began running at a young age, herding cattle and joining barefoot runners along dusty trails before formally entering the world of distance running. He entered his first half marathon at 13, finishing tenth, and went on to win the same race five years later. Early in his career, Kiptum was mostly self-coached, drawing inspiration from local athletes and only later partnering with coach Gervais Hakizimana, who helped guide his transition to the marathon (1, 2, 3).
Kiptum burst onto the marathon scene in 2022, making history with a record-breaking debut win in Valencia (2:01:53)—the fastest first marathon in history. He followed this with a stunning victory and a course record at the 2023 London Marathon (2:01:25), before achieving his greatest feat in October 2023 by breaking the marathon world record at the Chicago Marathon in 2:00:35, running negative splits and distancing himself from some of the greatest names in the event. In his tragically short but brilliant career, Kiptum won every marathon he started, ran three of the seven fastest marathons ever recorded, and proved himself among the sport’s all-time greats (4, 5, 1).
Though his life and running career were cut short by a fatal car accident in February 2024 at age 24, Kiptum’s impact continues to resonate throughout the global running community. His ambitious training—often exceeding 155 miles per week—fearless racing style, and humility made him a role model for young runners aiming to follow in his footsteps. Kiptum’s pursuit of marathon greatness, his electrifying breaking of barriers, and the promise he showed for the future left a legacy of inspiration, reminding the world how a young Kenyan, grounded in resilience and dedication, could redefine the limits of human performance.
Running Safety 101
Staying safe on the run is just as important as hitting your pace goals. A few simple habits can help you feel more confident and prepared every time you head out the door.
Top Safety Tips:
Be Visible – Wear reflective gear and bright colors if you’re running in low light. A small clip-on light can make a big difference.
Run Facing Traffic – If you’re on the road, always run against traffic so you can see what’s coming.
Tell Someone Your Plan – Share your route or use a tracking app that lets a friend follow your run in real time.
Stay Aware – Keep music low or run with one earbud out so you can hear cars, cyclists, or other runners.
Carry ID (or Digital ID) – A small ID tag or smartwatch emergency contact info is a simple safety net.
Trust Your Gut – If a route or situation doesn’t feel right, change course. Safety first.
✨ Safety doesn’t have to be complicated — a few smart choices make every run more enjoyable.
In running, limits exist to be shattered.
That’s it for this week! Put in some quality miles this next week and we’ll see you back here soon!
