The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Hundreds gathered alongside prominent athletes and dignitaries on Friday to bid a somber farewell to Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya’s celebrated marathon record-breaker, in the heartland of the nation’s athletics, where he was born, trained, and tragically lost his life.
Kiptum, a 24-year-old father of two, was fatally injured in a late-night car accident on February 11, just months after achieving a groundbreaking marathon record in Chicago.
President William Ruto and World Athletics head Sebastian Coe were among the attendees at the funeral held in Chepkorio, Rift Valley.
ALSO READ: President Ruto to Attend Kelvin Kiptum’s Burial
“Kelvin’s accomplishments were extraordinary. His ascent to such heights at such a young age is nearly unparalleled,” Coe expressed to AFP upon his arrival in Kenya.
Kiptum’s remarkable feat in the Chicago marathon in October, where he broke the record by two hours and 35 seconds, stunned the world, surpassing his Kenyan rival, the legendary Eliud Kipchoge.
Despite participating in only three marathons, Kiptum emerged victorious in all, securing three of the top seven fastest marathon times in history.
ALSO READ: Kiptum’s Final Journey: 80km Procession Planned from Eldoret to Iten
His untimely demise has deeply affected Kenya and the global athletics community.
“Farewell, champion,” read the headline of Kenya’s leading Daily Nation newspaper.
Mourners, including 1,500m record-holder Faith Kipyegon, gathered at the funeral venue in the early hours, some wearing black T-shirts bearing Kiptum’s image.
ALSO READ: Kiptum’s Wife Opens Up About Planned April Wedding
As a choir sang religious hymns, attendees paid their respects to Kiptum’s body, placed in an open casket on a red carpet.
Outside the venue, four large screens were set up to broadcast the ceremony for the numerous villagers in attendance.
On Thursday, hundreds accompanied Kiptum’s casket from Eldoret to his hometown of Chepkorio in the Rift Valley.
In Nairobi, a solemn candlelight vigil attracted hundreds, offering an emotional tribute to the promising athlete, who was widely expected to shine at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Following the funeral service, Kiptum will be laid to rest in Naiberi, near Eldoret, where the government has provided a new home for his family.
Authorities stated that Kiptum lost control of his vehicle near Eldoret around 11:00 pm on February 11, resulting in a collision with a tree.
The government’s chief pathologist, Johansen Oduor, revealed that Kiptum suffered severe head injuries, with toxicology tests still pending.
ALSO READ: Chief Pathologist Johansen Oduor Reveals Kiptum’s Cause of Death
Kiptum’s coach, Gervais Hakizimana from Rwanda, aged 36, also perished in the accident and was buried in Kigali on Wednesday.
Known for his rigorous training regimen, which sometimes exceeded 300 kilometers (190 miles) per week, Kiptum had recently expressed aspirations to break the elusive two-hour mark at the Rotterdam Marathon in April.
