Kenyans and the global community will on Friday 23, bid their final farewell to the World Marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, as he is laid to rest in his hometown of Uasin Gishu.
In his honour, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has announced plans to name a road in the county after him. The governor stated that this gesture would ensure that Kiptum’s name, achievements, and legacy are preserved for future generations, ensuring that even those who did not personally know him would remember his contributions.
Speaking at Iten Sportsground on the eve of Kiptum’s burial, the governor led hundreds of residents in viewing the late athlete’s body, the governor said his record would not be easy to break.
Residents thanked the family for allowing them to pay their last respects to him saying many may not make it to his burial service which would be held Chepkorio show grounds in Keiyo South burial at his farm in Uasin Gishu County. Meanwhile in Nairobi, hundreds turned out for a solemn candlelight vigil.
President William Ruto and World Athletics head Sebastian Coe are expected to be among the mourners at the funeral in the Rift Valley where Kiptum was born, trained and died.
The athlete died on Sunday, February 11 alongside his coach Rwandese Gervais Hakizimana after they were involved in a road accident along the Eldoret Ravine road.
According to the post-mortem results conducted by government pathologist Johansen Oduor, the Marathon World Record holder died from severe head trauma sustained during the car crash.
The Head of State eulogised Kiptum as a star, noting that an extraordinary sportsman who has left an extraordinary mark on the globe.
“Kelvin Kiptum was arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record,” he said.
He ran the distance in two hours and 35 seconds, slicing 34 seconds off the previous fastest time, set by his Kenyan rival, the marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge. While Kiptum only competed in three marathons, he won all of the races, posting three of the seven fastest times for the event.
The President noted that just at the age of 24, Kiptum was a hero who triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and other top competitions.
