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Tragedy Strikes: Charles Kipsang, Kenyan athlete collapses and dies in Cameroon

Charles Kipsang dead
Sun, Feb 25, 2024

Charles Kipsang dead: – African Sports News: Charles Kipsang, Kenyan athlete tragically passed away after competing in the 29th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope on Saturday. The 32-year-old collapsed just moments after completing the race at Molyko Stadium. Despite swift medical attention, attempts to revive him proved unsuccessful. According to Bernard Okalai Bilia, the Governor of the Southwest region where the race unfolded, Athlete Charles Kipsang collapsed and died, when he was leading the competition. He experienced a sudden illness that compelled him to momentarily pause just minutes before reaching the finish line.
Read also: Fare Thee Well: Kenya Bids Farewell To Marathon Sensation Kiptum

The race drew participation from more than 600 runners representing countries such as Congo, Ethiopia, France, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Tanzania, Chad, Tunisia, and Cameroon, with Charles Kipsang experiencing a fatal death.

Charles Kipsang fatal death

Charles Kipsang fatal death

After successfully crossing the line, Kipkorir collapsed upon receiving his prize. He was promptly taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his condition mere minutes later.

“We cannot say exactly what happened. He was fine. He was good after the race. We might believe that it is something like a heart attack,” Bilia reported the incident Saturday evening

“It is a very sad situation because he was at his fourth participation. It is a great loss for the African athletic federation, for his country Kenya, and for us Cameroon,” he added.

Kipsang did great in this year’s race, being the first at the Mount Cameroon summit and leading most of the way down. But surprisingly, he slowed down near the finish line, letting Elvis Nsabinla from Cameroon take the lead and win. This was Kipsang’s fourth time in the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, where 19 Kenyan athletes participated.

His unexpected death marks the second significant loss for the Kenyan athletics community within two weeks, coming shortly after the tragic passing of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who lost his life in a road accident. The town of Buea, the race’s host, was filled with dismay and sorrow upon hearing the news of his passing.

Mount Cameroon Annual Race

More than 600 participants from Congo, Ethiopia, France, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Tanzania, Chad, Tunisia, and Cameroon joined the yearly event. Known as the Race of Hope, the competition involves a challenging course, requiring athletes to navigate the mountain’s ascent and descent, reaching an elevation of over 4,100 meters above sea level.