On Friday, prominent athletes and dignitaries guided a multitude of mourners at the funeral of Kelvin Kiptum. Kevin Kiptum was Kenya’s world marathon record-holder. The solemn ceremony took place in the heartland of the nation’s athletics. Coincidentally, a place where Kiptum was born, trained, and ultimately passed away. Kenya bids Farewell to Kelvin Kiptum their champion and legend.
Addressing the mourners, Kenyan President, Ruto praised Kiptum as an inspirational figure.
“In Kelvin, we saw the future of athletics in Kenya. Kelvin has stood out not just as a great athlete but as a great person… He was ambitious, disciplined and focused,” he reiterated.
A 24-year-old father of two, Kelvin Kiptum, lost his life in a tragic late-night car crash on February 11. This was just a few months after breaking the marathon record in Chicago.
Dignitaries in Attendance as Kenya bids Farewell to Kelvin Kiptum
President William Ruto and Sebastian Coe, the head of World Athletics, attended the funeral. It was held in the Rift Valley town of Chepkorio.
“Kelvin’s achievements were extraordinary. That he should have reached such heights at such a young age is almost unparalleled,” Coe told AFP upon his arrival in Kenya on Thursday.
Sebastian Coe
In October, Kiptum completed the Chicago race in two hours and 35 seconds. He broke the previous record by 34 seconds. It was held by a Kenyan rival, the marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge.
Although Kiptum participated in just three marathons, he won all, recording three of the seven fastest times ever in the event.
His unexpected demise has sent shockwaves through Kenya and the broader athletics community.
In his inaugural appearance at the 2022 Valencia Marathon, Kiptum secured the fastest time. He continued his winning streak by claiming victory in the London Marathon last year, setting a new course record, and then triumphing in the Chicago race.
Expressing his profound sorrow on social media, Kipchoge conveyed his deep sadness over the untimely passing of an athlete “who had a whole life ahead of him to accomplish incredible greatness.”
Ferdinand Omanyala echoed the sentiments, being one of Kenya’s fastest sprinters, who lamented that the world lost Kiptum prematurely.
“I was so touched by what happened because I can relate to how ambitious athletes are when they start doing professional athletics and how many goals they’ve set for themselves, so that’s a very tragic thing that happened,”
Ferdinand Omanyala, Kenyan 100m Spirnter
Kenyans Mourn their Champion Kelvin Kiptum
Over the past fortnight, everyday Kenyans have been grieving the loss of the runner. On Friday, numerous individuals paid their tributes. Kiptum was interred in a funeral held in Naiberi, close to his hometown of Chepkorio in western Kenya.
Brian Chebii, a resident from the same Elgeyo-Marakwet County as the late runner, expressed his condolences in Athletics Kenya’s condolence book, the country’s sports governing body.
“Kelvin Kiptum … was a guy of capabilities … running was his passion. He motivated us. That’s why when he passed away, it remains painful for us,” he told VOA.
Entries in the condolence book varied from “Rest well, champ” to “The greats never die. They live in us and keep us going.”
Kiptum has left behind a wife Asentah Cheruto and their two children.
Ruto announced that Kiptum’s widow would receive $34,000 in government support along with another house.
The president also mentioned the establishment of an endowment fund for athletes. He recognised the loss of several stars to tragic accidents in recent years.
The front-page headline of Kenya’s prominent Daily Nation newspaper read, “Fare thee well champ.”