Gervais Hakizimana (Coach) Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Kids, Family, Death, Obituary and More

Gervais Hakizimana (born 5 September 1987 – died 11 February 2024, Aged: 36 years old) was a Rwandan athlete and coach who played a crucial role in the rise of Kelvin Kiptum, the marathon world record holder. Hakizimana, who died in a tragic car accident on February 11, 2024, along with Kiptum, was a man of few words but remarkable achievements. He was the owner of the Rwandan national record for the men’s 3000m steeplechase and the coach who delivered Kiptum’s workout regimens using WhatsApp. This is his story.

Early Life and Career

Gervais Hakizimana was born on September 5, 1987, in Nyaruguru district in the Northern Province of Rwanda, a country known for producing top runners. He started running at a young age and showed great potential in the steeplechase event. He trained at Kaptagat, Uasin Gishu County, in Kenya, where he met many elite athletes and learned from them.

He competed in the senior men’s category at the 2007 World Cross Country Championships held in Mombasa, Kenya, where he finished 70th. He also represented Rwanda at the 2007 All-Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria, where he placed 10th in the 10,000m race.

Hakizimana had to cut his trip short due to post-election clashes in Kenya, which forced him to return to his home country for safety. He later studied in France for three years before working there for four years.

Gervais Hakizimana Wiki/Bio

NameGervais Hakizimana
Birth DateSeptember 5, 1987
Birth PlaceNyaruguru, Rwanda
Death DateFebruary 11, 2024
Death PlaceKaptagat, Kenya
Death CauseRoad Accident
NationalityRwandan
OccupationAthlete and Coach
SpouseJoan Chelimo
ChildrenTwo
Events3000m steeplechase
5000m, 10,000m
10km road
20km road
half marathon
marathon
Personal Bests3000m steeplechase: 8:39.05 NR (2011)
5000m: 14:03.86 (2011)
10,000m: 30:18.49 (2007)
10km road: 29:08 (2010)
20km road: 59:47 (2012)
Half marathon: 1:02:43 (2007)
Marathon: DNF (2016)
AchievementsRwandan national record holder in the 3000m steeplechase <br> Coach of Kelvin Kiptum, the marathon world record holder
Instagramgervaishakizimana
Homepagenewsunzip.com

Rise To Fame

During this time, he continued to run and participate in various events, such as the 10km and half marathons. He also competed in the 36th London Marathon in 2016, but he dropped out after 33 kilometers due to injury. That was his last marathon attempt, although he still ran in minor events in France and other countries.

Hakizimana holds the Rwandan national record for the men’s 3000m steeplechase with 8:39.05, which he set in Pezenas, France, in 2011. He also has personal bests of 14:03.86 for the 5000m, 30:18.49 for the 10,000m, 29:08 for the 10km road, 59:47 for the 20km road, and 1:02:43 for the half marathon.

Coaching Kelvin Kiptum

Hakizimana met Kelvin Kiptum when he returned to Kenya in 2016 after the 2007 unrest. He settled in Eten, Chepkorio, and used to train near Kiptum’s home. Kiptum was a young boy at the time, and he used to watch the veteran runners train. He was fascinated by their speed and endurance, and he wanted to be like them.

Hakizimana noticed Kiptum’s talent and passion, and he decided to mentor him. He shared his training programs with him and advised him to do half of the workouts since they were too hard for his age. He also encouraged him to join local races and gain experience. This went on until they started to train together before Hakizimana retired from active running.

Kiptum’s quest for athletics stardom began to show signs of success when he won the 2018 Family Bank Half Marathon in Eldoret, Kenya. He then went on to win the Kass Half Marathon in November 2019. He made his international debut in 2019, while still a teenager, and clocked 59:54 to finish fifth at the Lisbon Half Marathon. Before moving up to the marathon distance, Kiptum improved his half marathon personal best to 58:42 at the 2020 Valencia Half Marathon.

Hakizimana was the one who convinced Kiptum to try the marathon, believing that he had the potential to break the world record. He coached him remotely, using WhatsApp to send him the training schedules and monitor his progress. He also traveled with him to his races and supported him on the sidelines.

Hakizimana’s coaching paid off when Kiptum made his marathon debut in December 2020, clocking 2:01:53 to win in Valencia. It was the fastest debut marathon in history and the third-fastest time ever. Kiptum followed it up with another stunning performance at the 2021 London Marathon, where he ran 2:01:25 to win in a course record. He then broke the world record by 34 seconds with a time of 2:00:35 at the 2021 Chicago Marathon, becoming the first man to run under two hours and one minute in a record-eligible race.

Kiptum and Hakizimana were hailed as the new legends of the sport, and they received accolades and recognition from around the world. They were planning to run at the Rotterdam Marathon in April 2021, where they hoped to break the two-hour barrier.

Net Worth and Income Sources

Gervais Hakizimana’s net worth and income sources are not publicly available, but it can be assumed that he earned a decent amount of money from his career as an athlete and a coach. He competed in several international events, such as the World Cross Country Championships, the All-Africa Games, the World Road Running Championships, and the London Marathon, where he may have received prize money and appearance fees.

He also worked in France for four years, where he may have had other sources of income. As a coach, he may have received a percentage of the earnings of his protégé, Kelvin Kiptum, who won three major marathons and broke the world record.

Physical Stats

Gervais Hakizimana’s height, weight, and physical stats are also not officially disclosed, but according to his profile on World Athletics, he was 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) tall and weighed 65 kg (143 lb). He had a slim and muscular physique, typical of a long-distance runner. He had black hair and brown eyes.

Parents and Siblings

Hakizimana’s parents and siblings are not well-known, but he was born and raised in Nyaruguru district in the Northern Province of Rwanda, a country known for producing top runners.

He may have had a large family, as it is common in Rwanda to have many siblings and relatives. He may have also been influenced by his family to pursue running, as it is a popular sport and a source of pride in his country.

Wife and Kids

Gervais was married to Joan Chelimo, who is also a professional runner and a former Kenyan national champion in the 10,000m event. The couple met in Kenya, where they trained together and fell in love. They got married in 2018 and had two children, a son and a daughter.

They lived in Eten, Chepkorio, in Kenya, where they had a farm and a house. They were a happy and supportive couple, who shared a passion for running and coaching. Joan Chelimo was also coached by Hakizimana, and she improved her personal bests in the 10km and half marathon events under his guidance.

Death and Obituary

On February 11, 2024, Kiptum and Hakizimana were traveling in a car along the Eldoret-Kaptagat Road in Kenya, when they collided with a truck. Both of them died on the spot, leaving behind their families and fans in shock and grief. The news of their death spread quickly and sparked an outpouring of tributes and condolences from the athletics community and beyond.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. They were both extraordinary talents who inspired millions of people with their achievements and passion for the sport. They will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all who knew them.”

Hakizimana is survived by his wife, Joan Chelimo, who is also a professional runner, and their two children. He was 36 years old at the time of his death. He will be remembered as one of the best coaches in the history of marathon running, and the man who helped Kiptum achieve the impossible.

Hakizimana’s legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of his family, friends, and fans, as well as in the records and achievements of his protégé, Kiptum. He was a humble, dedicated, and visionary coach who made a lasting impact on the sport and the world. He was a true hero of the marathon.

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