Alabama Track and Field Mourns the Passing of Former Conference Champion, Collegiate Record Holder Eliud Kipsang

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama track and field mourns the loss of former program great and collegiate record holder Eliud Kipsang, who tragically passed away Tuesday evening.

While competing for the Crimson Tide, Kipsang claimed gold in 2021 at both the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships in the 1,500m before also clocking the first-place finish at the SEC Cross Country Championships.

The 2021 SEC Runner of the Year shattered the collegiate record in the men's 1,500m during the 2022 season, as his 3:33.74 time still stands in the top five, collegiately, and also remains the school record. In total, Kipsang holds a trio of school records spanning across indoor and outdoor (indoor mile, indoor distance medley relay, outdoor 1,500m) track and field events, with six additional top-10, all-time placements (indoor 3,000m, outdoor 800m, outdoor 5,000m) in program history.

Head Coach Dan Waters Said

"We are heartbroken by the passing of Eliud Kipsang, one of the most gifted athletes ever to wear crimson and white. His impact on our program extended far beyond records and championships; he was a beloved teammate, a brother to so many and a dear friend to me, personally. On behalf of the entire Alabama family, we extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. The running community has lost a remarkable soul."

Eliud Kipsang – The Legacy

Born Sept. 9, 1996, in Eldoret, Kenya, Kipsang competed in the Africa Championship trials in 2019
In his first season at Alabama (2020-21), Kipsang claimed the Southeastern Conference's outdoor 1,500-meter title and finished as the runner-up in the 800-meter run
- Kipsang earned First Team All-America honors in the 1,500m later that season
The subsequent cross country season, Kipsang was named the SEC's Runner of the Year after claiming the individual title
- Earned All-South Region honors after clocking a top-five finish at the NCAA South Region Championships
At the 2022 NCAA Indoor Championships, Kipsang earned First Team All-America recognition after his scoring finish in the mile
- Earlier that season, he led the Tide's distance medley relay crew to a bronze-medal showing at the conference meet
During the 2022 outdoor season, Kipsang shattered the then-collegiate record in the 1,500m via a 3:33.74 performance – a time that remains in the top five in collegiate history
Kipsang then guided the Crimson Tide men to the program's fourth SEC cross country title, in 2022, which led him to First Team All-SEC honors
To this day, Kipsang holds six top-10, all-time placements in Alabama track and field history
- Indoor mile | program record | 3:54.36 | 2022
- Outdoor 1,500m | program record | 3:33.75 | 2022
- Indoor distance medley relay | program record | 9:22.43 | 2022
- Indoor 3,000m | No. 5 | 7:53.19 | 2022
- Outdoor 800m | No. 8 | 1:46.99 | 2021
- Outdoor 5,000m | No. 8 | 13:39.67 | 2021

University of Alabama Athletics