Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, whose aspirations of breaking the race’s two-hour barrier were tragically cut short by a fatal car crash earlier this month, was honored at a funeral held in his hometown in western Kenya.
The service, which took place on Friday, February 23 in the Rift Valley village of Chepkorio, drew a crowd of hundreds, including notable figures from politics and sports such as President William Ruto and World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
Despite being just 24 years old, Kiptum had already left an indelible mark on the marathon world, participating in only three international marathons, each ranking among the fastest seven ever recorded.
His most notable achievement came in October 2023 in Chicago when he shattered the world record, completing the marathon in an astonishing two hours and 35 seconds, surpassing his fellow countryman Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record by 34 seconds.
During the funeral service, Anglican Bishop Paul Korir, who led the proceedings, highlighted Kiptum’s humility and deep connection to the local community.
Before embarking on his journey as a professional runner, Kiptum worked as a livestock herder and trained as an electrician, grounding himself in the values and traditions of his hometown.
Korir said, “He dined with the high and mighty, and at the same time, he came to play pool at Chepkorio.”
His sudden death has left Kenya and the wider athletics community reeling.
“He was a real superstar whose path was on a spectacular upward trajectory,” said Jack Tuwei, President of Athletics Kenya. He added, “All indications were he was going to beat the two-hour barrier.”
Mourners, among them Faith Kipyegon, the record holder in the 1,500-meter race, began arriving at dawn for the funeral. Many donned black T-shirts adorned with a portrait of Kiptum on the front.
They paid their homage to the deceased, viewing his body laid out in a half-open coffin on a red carpet while a choir filled the air with religious hymns.
Outside the venue, where a large number of villagers gathered, four massive screens broadcasted the service, ensuring everyone could participate in honoring Kiptum’s memory.
Following the funeral, Kiptum will be laid to rest later today February 23 in a family plot near Eldoret city.
The government is currently in the process of constructing a home for his wife and two children as a gesture of support during this difficult time.
His widow, Asenath Cheruto, said she and Kiptum, who had a traditional marriage in 2017, had planned to hold a “colourful wedding ceremony” in April this year. “You have been the best husband and father to our children,” she said, breaking down into sobs.
Aspirations Cut Short
Kiptum had set his sights on breaking the two-hour mark at the Rotterdam marathon scheduled for April 2024 and was anticipated to make his Olympic debut in Paris later this year. This could have marked his inaugural head-to-head showdown with Kipchoge.
Tragically, both Kiptum and his coach, 36-year-old Rwandan Gervais Hakizimana, lost their lives when the runner lost control of the vehicle he was driving.
The crash happened around 11 pm on February 11, 2024, on a road between Eldoret and Kaptagat in western Kenya. The area is a renowned training area for elite distance runners like Kelvin Kiptum, who grew up in the region.
According to reports, a woman was also in the car and had sustained serious injuries.
Milcah Chemos, along with other athletes and Kiptum’s family, rushed to the hospital upon hearing the tragic news.
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