Joan Chelimo, widow of the late Gervais Hakizimana, narrated her husband’s impact on the world of marathon running, particularly through his coaching of rising star Kelvin Kiptum.
Their story began years ago, in the Rift Valley, where Hakizimana and Kiptum first crossed paths.
“Gervais and Kelvin shared a bond that extended far beyond the boundaries of coach and athlete,” she recalled during a media interview on Tuesday, February
She added, “Even before Gervais became Kelvin’s coach, they were friends.
“They spent countless hours together running in the forests, sharing their love for running and dreaming of future achievements.”
Kiptum & Coach Gervais Hakizimana Encounter
The 37-year-old Hakizimana and former athlete was born in Nyaruguru, Northern Province of Rwanda had also specialized in the long-distance races just like his trainee Kiptum.
Gervais is Rwanda’s national record holder for the men’s 3000m steeplechase and also won a number of races in France, that included Lons-Le-Saunier 10km 2010 and the 2012 Pezenas National Meet.
Also Read: Kelvin Kiptum: Police Confirm Cause of Death, Answer Key Questions
As fate would have it, Hakizimana’s plans to relocate to France were put on hold when he identified Kiptum’s potential and made the decision to invest in his career.
Chelimo remarked, “He believed in his talent and was determined to help him reach his full potential.”
The COVID-19 pandemic, with its disruption of travel and competition, provided an unexpected opportunity for Hakizimana and Kiptum to deepen their partnership.
“With no races on the horizon, they focused on training harder than ever before,” Chelimo explains. “
Their dedication and perseverance never wavered, even in the face of adversity.”
Their efforts culminated Kiptum’s historic victory at the Chicago Marathon, where he shattered the world record with a time of 2:00:35.
But for Hakizimana, the pursuit of excellence was never about personal glory. “He always said that Kelvin’s success was his greatest achievement,” Chelimo reflects.
“He was a humble man who found joy in seeing others thrive.”
Also Read: Kelvin Kiptum: A Star Flickered Away, a Legacy Nipped in the Bud
The Death of Gervais Hakizimana
Hakizimana’s and Kiptum’s lives were cut short, in a grisly road accident at about 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Sunday February 11.
Joan’s family is pleading for help as he was the only breadwinner and had many future plans.
“Every time I look at my phone, I wish he would call because my husband used to call me frequently,” she recalled.
