Kenya Bids Solemn Farewell To Marathon Sensation Kelvin Kiptum

 

Professional Kenyan athletes carry the coffin of Kelvin Kiptum after a memorial mass for the late marathon runner at a church in the village of Chepkorio, on February 22, 2024.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya's world marathon record-holder, laid to rest in Chepkorio after a fatal car accident.

• Top athletes, including President William Ruto and Sebastian Coe, attended the funeral in the Rift Valley.

• Coe praised Kiptum's remarkable achievements at a young age, including breaking the marathon record in Chicago.

• Kiptum's death leaves Kenya and the athletics community in shock.

• Mourners, including Faith Kipyegon, paid tribute at the funeral, wearing black T-shirts with Kiptum's image.

• Candlelight vigils held in Nairobi honored Kiptum's memory.

• Kiptum will be buried in Naiberi, near Eldoret, with ongoing investigations into the accident.

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Kenya Bids Solemn Farewell To Marathon Sensation Kelvin Kiptum

Kenya bid farewell to one of its brightest stars, Kelvin Kiptum, at a solemn funeral on Friday, where top athletes, dignitaries, and hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects. 

Kiptum, the 24-year-old world marathon record-holder, tragically lost his life in a car accident on February 11, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable achievements.

Born, trained, and ultimately perishing in Kenya's Rift Valley, Kiptum's journey resonated deeply with the nation's athletic spirit. 

His untimely demise drew figures like President William Ruto and World Athletics head Sebastian Coe to Chepkorio, where his funeral took place.

Coe, reflecting on Kiptum's exceptional talent and premature departure, expressed the rarity of his accomplishments at such a young age. 

Kiptum's record-breaking run in Chicago, where he shattered the marathon record, showcased his prowess, eclipsing even his formidable Kenyan counterpart, Eliud Kipchoge.

With just three marathons under his belt, Kiptum emerged victorious in each, etching his name in history with three of the event's top seven fastest times. 

His sudden death sent shockwaves through Kenya and the global athletics community, leaving behind a void that resonated in headlines and hearts alike.

The funeral ceremony saw a gathering of mourners, including notable figures like Faith Kipyegon, who arrived at dawn to pay their respects. Adorned in black T-shirts bearing Kiptum's image, they solemnly bid farewell as his body lay in repose, accompanied by hymns of solace.

As the funeral unfolded, screens broadcasted the proceedings to accommodate the throngs of villagers who had assembled outside. 

From Eldoret to Chepkorio, and even in Nairobi, where a candlelight vigil was held, tributes poured in for the promising athlete, whose dreams of the Paris 2024 Olympics were tragically cut short.

Following the ceremony, Kiptum will find his final resting place in Naiberi, near Eldoret, where the government has erected a new home for his grieving family. 

Investigations into the accident continue, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the loss of both Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, who was laid to rest in Kigali.

Kiptum's ambition to break the elusive two-hour mark at the Rotterdam Marathon in April underscored his unwavering dedication to the sport, leaving a legacy that transcends his untimely departure.