On Friday in Chepkorio, Kenya, 1000’s gathered for the funeral of marathon world report holder Kelvin Kiptum, who died on the age of 24 in a automotive accident on Feb. 11 along with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
Kiptum shall be remembered as one of many largest rising stars within the sport for his record-breaking two-hour and 35-second run to interrupt the world report on the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
“I’ve cried till no extra… I’ll miss you and your love. I promise to collect my power for the sake of our youngsters.” Asenath Rotich, Kelvin Kiptum’s spouse, pays an emotional tribute to the late athlete. pic.twitter.com/HVJJEu5T6y
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) February 23, 2024
Kiptum’s widow, Asenath Rotich, led the mourners on the funeral for the Kenyan marathon star. In accordance with BBC Africa, she broke down when revealing that the couple had been planning an enormous wedding ceremony celebration in April. He had surprised the world in his quick marathon profession, and figures from sports activities and politics got here to pay tribute to a person whose life had promised a lot.
Kenyan president William Ruto was in attendance, in addition to World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, who believed Kiptum would have turn out to be the primary individual to run a aggressive marathon in below two hours. “It’s a frustration to all of us that we received’t witness what I actually know he was able to,” Coe instructed BBC Africa. “For certain he would have damaged it. It will have been (Roger) Bannister and Edmund Hillary, each of them, wrapped into one.”
In his demise, our hero Kelvin Kiptum is chatting with us. That it pays to be decided, disciplined and targeted. Might his soul Relaxation In Everlasting Peace. pic.twitter.com/HOnT4MtM1A
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 23, 2024
Kiptum was trying to higher his world report time on the 2024 Rotterdam Marathon in April.
Additionally in attendance have been notable Kenyan athletes Religion Kipyegon, former world report holder Paul Tergat, and 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto, who was certainly one of Kiptum’s pallbearers on the service. Eliud Kipchoge didn’t attend as he continues to put together for the Tokyo Marathon on March 3.
“Since he arrived… he has rewritten historical past,” mentioned Tergat. “He has a legacy that we’ve by no means seen on this world. We’re right here to have a good time what he has achieved in a really quick time.”
Earlier than Kiptum turned one of many world’s largest marathon stars, he had labored as a livestock herder and educated as an electrician in Chepkorio. The federal government in Elgeyo-Marakwet County plans to honor the late marathoner by constructing an athletics stadium in his title.
