Reason for Kelvin Kiptum's burial date change

ATHLETICS Reason for Kelvin Kiptum's burial date change

Abigael Wafula 16:57 - 20.02.2024

The burial date for departed marathon king Kelvin Kiptum has been changed following H.E. President William Ruto's schedule.

The burial date of departed marathon king Kelvin Kiptum has been changed from Saturday, February 24 to February 23.

This move was made to enable H.E. President William Ruto to attend the world record holder’s burial. It had been announced that the deceased world record holder would be accorded state honours as he is laid to rest at his native home in Chepkorioon.

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As reported by Tuko, the President was planning to attend Kiptum's funeral, but the dates clashed with the state funeral of the deceased Namibian president Hage Geingob which he was also to attend. Geingob's state funeral will be held on February 24, ahead of his interment on Sunday, February 25.

"Kiptum's burial will be a state event and the president will be in attendance. However, the date was changed from February 24 to 23 because the president will be available on that day.

“On Saturday he will be flying to Namibia to attend their late president's funeral," said a family spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana died in a road accident on Sunday night, February 11 outside the Rift Valley town of Eldoret.

The 24-year-old Kenyan athlete, who was driving a Toyota Premio, and his coach died at the scene of the crash.

Up until his demise, Kiptum had defied the odds of running a marathon and was chasing more history at the NN Rotterdam Marathon where he would attempt to break the two-hour barrier. He owned two of the top-five fastest marathon times, thanks to his wins at the London and Chicago Marathons.

His demise has left the world of athletics in utter shock and the world is still mourning the loss of the young talent who just like Samwel Wanjiru, the world would never get to know what he had in store for it.

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