On Friday in Chepkorio, Kenya, 1000’s gathered for the funeral of marathon world document holder Kelvin Kiptum, who died on the age of 24 in a automotive accident on Feb. 11 together with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
Kiptum will likely be remembered as one of many greatest rising stars within the sport for his record-breaking two-hour and 35-second run to interrupt the world document on the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
“I’ve cried till no extra… I’ll miss you and your love. I promise to collect my energy 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 response to BBC Africa, she broke down when revealing that the couple had been planning a giant 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 develop into the primary individual to run a aggressive marathon in underneath two hours. “It’s a frustration to all of us that we gained’t witness what I actually know he was able to,” Coe informed BBC Africa. “For positive he would have damaged it. It will have been (Roger) Bannister and Edmund Hillary, each of them, wrapped into one.”
In his dying, our hero Kelvin Kiptum is chatting with us. That it pays to be decided, disciplined and centered. 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 document time on the 2024 Rotterdam Marathon in April.
Additionally in attendance had been notable Kenyan athletes Religion Kipyegon, former world document holder Paul Tergat, and 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto, who was one in every 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 rejoice what he has achieved in a really quick time.”
Earlier than Kiptum turned one of many world’s greatest marathon stars, he had labored as a livestock herder and skilled 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.
