Tanui dedicates Amsterdam Marathon win to Tirop

Kenya’s Angela Tanui has dedicated her record breaking run at the Amsterdam Marathon held on Sunday to fallen athlete Agnes Tirop.

On Wednesday 13 October, traumatizing news of the death of the women-only 10km record holder and former World Cross Country champion hit the world as the athlete who was due to celebrate her 25th birthday on 25th October was found dead in her Iten home after neighbors went to check on her upon hearing noisy altercations in her home the previous Tuesday night.

Former World Cross Country champion Agnes Tirop found dead, husband missing

After forming a part of the lead group at the World Athletics Elite Platinum Label road race, Tirop pulled away from her pursuers as she crossed the finish line in 2:17:57, smashing the previous course record of 2:19:26 as she also chopped more than two minutes from her previous best of 2:20:08 set earlier this year.

With the time that took her to 10th on the world all-time list, the Kenyan, who had a white ribbon honouring Tirop attached to her running outfit, dedicated the win to the deceased.

“This one (ribbon) is for remembering is my friend Agnes Tirop who died a terrible death. It will be a mark for the day I came to Amsterdam and ran the marathon in a course record as well as a personal best time. This is my mark for Agnes Tirop,” the athlete disclosed in the post-race interview.

With investigations for the mysterious killing of the athlete still ongoing, the burial committee confirmed that Tirop will be buried at her parents’ home at Kapnyamisa Village in Nandi County this coming Saturday October 23.

President World Athletics, Seb Coe and Shelly-Ann mourn fallen athlete Tirop