Kelvin Kiptum: Agonizing Story of Untimely Death, Village in Mourning and Unfulfilled Dreams

• Kelvin Kiptum's village is yet to come to terms with the passing on of the world record holder
• Kiptum was born and bred in Chepsamo Village, Keiyo South, Elgeyo-Marakwet County
• This is the story of a crestfallen community, a heartbroken teacher and unfulfilled dreams

Deep in the otherwise silent and serene village of Chepsamo in Elgeyo-Marakwet county, southwest of Kenya, villagers have converged in small groups, hushing in low tones with an occasional heartwrenching sob of 'God why?'

Tents have already been erected at the home of Mzee Samson Cheruyiot as mourners stream in to console the family who lost their only son on February 11.

It is a death that shook the world. Almost literally. When the news started coming in that Kelvin Kiptum, the marathon world record holder, was no more, no one wanted to believe it.

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Police reports indicate that Kiptum lost control of the Toyota Premio he was driving, veered off the road and drove through a ditch for approximately 60m before hitting a tree. He died on the spot, alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, with the third occupant, Sharon Kosgey, escaping with serious injuries.

The grisly road accident along the Eldoret-Eldama Ravine highway robbed the world of a legend in the making. Kiptum only needed three marathons to turn from a novice to the fastest debutant to the most promising marathoner in the world to a world record holder.

All in 10 months.

His uncle, Philip Kiplagat, is at pains to talk about his deceased nephew even as he oversees some renovations in anticipation of the many visitors expected to throng the home.

"I am sorry. I am not yet ready to talk about Kiptum. I still can't believe he is gone."

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A heartbroken teacher

In the hilly ridges of Elgeyo-Marakwet county, an area which has produced a couple of world-beating athletes, we meet Mr. Luka Bwalei at Chepsamo Primary School. The school is approximately four kilometres away from Kiptum's home.

Bwalei was Kiptum's primary school teacher. He is still lost for words and struggles to paint a picture of what is going through his mind. He received the dreaded news two hours after it had happened.

"I had just finished watching the AFCON final when I was called by one of my former colleagues. She asked me if I had heard what had happened to our former student. She went on to explain that Kiptum's car had been found by the roadside wrecked. He had died on the spot. I couldn't sleep. I was so heartbroken. In the morning, I asked my neighbours, hoping that it was false, but they confirmed he was no more," he tells Sports Brief.

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Bwalei proceeds to let us know that Kiptum loved sports at a tender age but received stiff competition in school games from his peers.

"Kiptum was a very disciplined boy. His talent wasn't quite visible during his days here as he was overshadowed by the other huge boys."

Kiptum's unfulfilled dreams

Kiptum's aspiration to become the first human being to run a marathon under two hours was shared by the whole village. They saw the dedication he put into his craft and were sure sooner than later; he would achieve that fete.

"He had promised us he would run a sub-two race in Rotterdam. I used to meet him once in a while, training at 7 am as I come to school. We would wave at each other as he rushed past me. The last time I saw him was on Friday morning, two days before his death," Bwalei painfully explains.

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Eliud Kipchoge's tribute to Kiptum

Kiptum passed on without representing the country at either the World Championships or Olympic Games. He was scheduled to compete in Paris later this year in what had been dubbed a clash between a king and his heir apparent.

The Hôtel de Ville to Esplanade des Invalides route in the French capital was to offer a clash between Kiptum and the man who he broke his record, Eliud Kipchoge. The double Olympic champion eulogised Kiptum as a 'rising star and a man who had his whole life ahead of him.'

Burial plans are already underway, with a tentative date of February 24 set. The government of Kenya, through the Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, who was fighting tears after viewing the body, has confirmed that the state will help the family with arrangements.

No words can describe the pain we felt in this village. No words can pacify the feelings caused by the unfortunate incident on February 11 at around 11 pm EAT. Cheruyiot's family lost a son, a record holder to the world - the only child they had. Its effect was felt worldwide.

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He showed us a little glimmer that anything was possible but left too soon. Thank you for the memories, Kiptum.

Rest in power. Forever legend.