Kelvin Kiptum’s final journey kicks off
Born on December 2, 1999, Kelvin Kiptum, the World Marathon record holder, will be buried on February 23, 2024, in Chepsamo village, Chepkorio, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, where he hails from.
President William Ruto will lead the nation in the final send-off of the 24-year-old athlete who died in a fatal road accident in Eldoret. The send-off includes a burial service in which Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Fellow athletes have also attended the funeral ceremony in large numbers to bid goodbye to the star.
Estimated to be about 1.8 meters in height and weighing 65 kilos, Kiptum will be buried in a beige-colored casket.
The remains will also be accompanied by flowers, which will be placed on his grave – a funeral custom.
Married to Asenath Cheruto Rotich, the father of two, alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana (a Rwandese), met his death on February 11, 2024, along the Kaptagat – Eldoret road.
The two died on the spot, in the car Kiptum was driving.
A few days before his death, the marathoner’s record of 2 hours and 35 seconds was ratified by the International Track Federation World Athletics.
Kiptum was the first man to run the marathon in under 2 hours, 1 minute, setting a new world record of 2:00.35 at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023, surpassing fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge’s mark.
Mr Kiptum was set to participate in the Rotterdam Marathon on April 14, 2024.
Area political leaders are also in attendance.
Also read: Did the late marathoner Kelvin Kiptum’s father disown his sister?