Honoring a Champion: Iten bids tearful farewell to marathon icon Kelvin Kiptum

The air hung heavy in the somber halls of Eldoret Hospital's morgue as Kelvin Kiptum's lifeless body was prepared for its final journey to the Iten Grounds. Emotions ran high, tears flowed freely among the gathering crowd. Covered with sorrow, the public could not contain their emotions as they bid farewell to the legend gone too soon.

Kiptum's family struggled to contain their anguish, grappling with the harsh reality that their beloved kin had departed, leaving a void in their hearts and in the marathon world.

The body was removed from the morgue at 9AM, embarking on Kiptum's final journey to the Iten Grounds for the public to view his body and pay their last respects.

Many found it hard to accept that just last October, they had gathered at the same grounds to celebrate the legend, merely three days after he shattered the marathon World Record in Chicago, USA.

Post-mortem report reveals Kiptum succumbed to severe head injuries

Kiptum had set the marathoning world ablaze on Sunday, October 8, 2023, by running a record-breaking time in the Chicago Marathon, shaving 34 seconds off Eliud Kipchoge's previous best of 2:01:09. His astounding record brought him closer to becoming the fastest man to break the two-hour barrier in the historic marathon.

The mourners, led by Elgeyo Marakwet County governor Wisley Rotich, described Kiptum as a legendary marathoner who was loved at home and worldwide. Governor Rotich noted that the body viewing was held for the residents of the county to pay their last respects to their own.

"It is a very sorrowful day. We wanted to give the people of Iten the honor to pay their last respects. He made us proud, and it is only fair that we give him this proper sendoff," Governor Rotich said.

Legendary athletes took charge of the pallbearing tasks, led by 1998 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Japheth Kimutai and former World indoor 3,000m champion Daniel Komen, among others.

Elgeyo Marakwet County ward representative Christopher Cheboiboch was among the leaders at hand to receive the body in Iten.

Athletes present at the body viewing included former London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei, 2021 New York City Marathon champion Perez Jepchirchir, Milcah Chemos, Moses Kiptanui, Vivian Cheruiyot, Janet Jepkosgei, and World 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon.

AK Africa Games trials put on hold in honour of Kiptum

Following the viewing, Kiptum's body was taken to the ACK St. Peter's Church for brief prayers before heading to the Kapkenda Girls' field for a requiem mass and prayers.The body will stay overnight in Chepsamo before the state burial on Friday at his four-acre farm in Naiberi, Uasin Gishu County. President William Ruto and other dignitaries will attend the burial ceremony.