Top athletes, dignitaries attend state funeral of Kenya’s world marathon record-holder Kiptum

Top athletes and dignitaries have led hundreds of mourners at the funeral of Kenya’s world marathon record-holder Kelvin Kiptum in the nation’s athletics heartland where he was born, trained and died.

President William Ruto and World Athletics Director, Sebastian Coe were among those who attended the funeral on Friday in Chepkorio, Rift Valley village.

Kiptum, a 24-year-old father of two, was killed in a late-night car crash on February 11, just months after shattering the marathon record in Chicago.

While Kiptum only competed in three marathons, he won all of the races, posting three of the seven fastest times in history for the event.

Mourners started arriving at the funeral venue at dawn, to pay their respects.

Dozens of athletes including 1,500 metre record-holder Faith Kipyegon and two-time Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha knelt in prayer near the casket before showering it with pink and white rose petals.

His wife, Asenath Rotich, was overcome with emotion as she read a tearful tribute to the marathon prodigy.

“It’s unbelievable that today I have learnt to stay with our beloved kids without you coming home again,” she said, revealing that they had planned to hold a wedding ceremony in April.