The track and field community is mourning the loss of Eliud Kipsang, the former NCAA 1500m record holder who died on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, following a cardiac arrest. The 28-year-old signed a deal with Adidas Pro in 2023. Kipsang suffered cardiac arrest on Friday, June 6th, 2025, and was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Despite the dedicated efforts of medical professionals, he tragically passed away four days later.
Kipsang’s athletic achievements were remarkable during his time at the University of Alabama. In 2022, he set the NCAA 1500m record with a time of 3:33.74 at the Bryan Clay Invitational, a mark that stood until it was broken earlier this year. His impressive collegiate career also included being the 2021 NCAA Division I Indoor Mile Runner-Up and the Outdoor 1500m East Region Champion. He secured a fourth-place finish at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championship and was an SEC Champion. Following his collegiate success, he competed at the Kenya Olympic Trials and recently turned professional with an Adidas contract.
Born in Eldoret, Kenya, Kipsang was a three-time All-American who also excelled across multiple distances with personal bests of 1:46.99 in the 800m, 3:54 in the mile, 7:53 in the 3000m, and 13:39 in the 5000m. He was also the overall winner of the 2021 SEC Cross Country Championships. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support his repatriation and funeral expenses, helping his family during this difficult time as they work to bring him home to Kenya for his final rest. (
Alabama)