The funeral for Kelvin Kiptum, the Kenyan world marathon record-holder tragically killed in a car accident earlier this month, has been rescheduled to Friday, according to the country’s athletics federation.
Athletics Kenya announced on Tuesday that Kiptum’s funeral will take place on February 23rd, 2024, at his home in Chepkorio Village, Elgeyo Marakwet. This decision comes after previously planning the burial for February 24th, with the government promising a special farewell for the young marathon star.
A Kenyan athletics official disclosed to AFP that the funeral will be treated as a state function, with President William Ruto in attendance. The rescheduling was prompted by the president’s schedule.
Kiptum, a 24-year-old father of two, lost his life in a late-night car accident on February 11th near his home in Eldoret, a prominent high-altitude training center in Kenya’s Rift Valley region. His Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, also perished in the accident, while a female passenger sustained injuries.
Despite his relatively short career, Kiptum made a significant impact in the marathon world, achieving remarkable times in just three marathon races. His record-breaking performance at the Chicago marathon in October, where he shattered Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record, positioned him as a favorite for the Paris Olympics, where he was anticipated to compete against Kipchoge.
In response to the tragedy, Kipchoge expressed his determination to honor Kiptum’s memory by winning the Olympic marathon in 2024.
Kiptum’s untimely death adds to a series of losses experienced by Kenyan athletes in recent years, prompting calls from lawmakers for increased support and protection for the country’s sporting talent.
