Kelvin Kiptum: Eldoret comes to a standstill as fans pay last respects to departed marathon great

Eldoret town came to a standstill on Wednesday evening when residents turned out in large numbers to pay their last respects to departed marathoner Kelvin Kiptum.

The ‘City of Champions,’ as Eldoret is commonly known, paused for some time as residents came out in their thousands and lit candles while singing songs in honour of Kiptum who died, alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana, following a road accident on February 11.

Another similar event in honour of the world marathon record holder, is planned in Nairobi on Thursday evening at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

This comes after Kenyan athletes led a 10km walk in memory and honour of Kiptum in Iten, Elegeyo Marakwet county on Monday.

Four-time New York Marathon champion Mary Keitany, 10K Valencia Ibercaja runners-up Emmaculate Anyango, marathoner Mark Korir, 2021 Amsterdam Marathon champion Angela Tanui were among the athletes who led the 10km walk from the border of Uasin Gishu county up to the governor's office in Iten, Elegeyo Marakwet county to honour the departed hero.

They were joined by other Kenyans as they carried large banners with the image of Kiptum, braving the scorching sun to honour their departed colleague.

This came a day after over 200 athletes, who train in Iten, gathered to light candles in his honour on Sunday.

Kiptum will be laid to rest at his Naiberi farm in Uasin Gishu county on Friday, a day after Hakizimana was buried in Kigali, Rwanda.

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