ROTTERDAM, Netherlands: Smart wearables and health technology company Zepp Health Corporation has announced its partnership with the Kelvin Kiptum Foundation, a significant initiative aimed at preserving the legacy of the late marathon world record holder who tragically died in a car crash on February 11th.
As part of this partnership, Zepp Health, through its brand Amazfit, will donate $100,000 to the foundation, along with profits from sales of the newly unveiled Amazfit Cheetah Pro Kelvin Kiptum Commemorative Edition smartwatch.
Kelvin Kiptum, revered as a once-in-a-generation talent, was an Amazfit brand ambassador and wore the Amazfit Cheetah Pro as part of his training regimen. In paying homage to his legacy and his wish to see the colors of the Kenyan flag celebrated, the commemorative edition version of the watch features the colors of the Kenyan flag and bears Kelvin’s signature, embodying his indomitable spirit. With only 235 watches produced, symbolizing Kiptum’s world record marathon time of 2:00:35, a portion of these exclusive timepieces will be available for purchase at the Rotterdam Marathon Expo, where Kelvin aspired to break the two-hour barrier. The remainder will be offered online at Amazfit.com starting from April 11th.
Commenting on the collaboration, Wayne Huang, CEO of Zepp Health stated, “Kelvin Kiptum’s unwavering passion for running and his commitment to community development deeply resonate with our values. Through our partnership with the Kelvin Kiptum Foundation and the launch of a commemorative edition watch, we honor Kelvin’s enduring legacy, and continue his mission of empowering young athletes and fostering education and infrastructure in Kenya.”
In addition to the watch release, Amazfit proudly serves as the official sponsor and timekeeper of the Rotterdam Marathon, an event close to Kelvin’s heart. At the expo, runners will have the opportunity to pay tribute to Kelvin at the Amazfit booth, with commemorative stickers and a memorial wall available for tribute messages.
At the Rotterdam Marathon itself, Amazfit will further celebrate Kelvin’s legacy by presenting a special trophy to his family and retiring his bib number 1. The finish line timer will also display Kelvin’s name when it reaches 1:59:59, serving as a poignant reminder of his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Bob Verbeeck, CEO & Founder of Golazo, the agency who had been mentoring Kiptum since 2018, expressed, “We are honored to collaborate with Zepp Health’s Amazfit in celebrating Kelvin’s remarkable achievements and his lasting impact on the running community. Together, we continue to inspire future generations of athletes.”
