Kenyan Long-Distance Runner Hosea Mwok Macharinyang Found Dead at His Home Under Unclear Circumstances

• Hosea Mwok Macharinyang had only started training after missing in action for years when he was found dead
• It remains unclear how the long-distance runner met his death, with details of what transpired still scanty
• His death was confirmed by Athletics Kenya officials drawn from North Rift who mourned him as "an intelligent man"

The Kenyan sporting fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the death of athlete Hosea Mwok Macharinyang.

Macharinyang is understood to have been found dead at his home in West Pokot on the evening of Saturday, October 9.

His tragic death has since been confirmed by Athletics Kenya officials, with the organisation's North Rift regional chairman Jackson Pkemoi confirming the runner had only started training recently after missing in action for years.

“He started training again. He was preparing for a major come-back. As AK officials, we celebrate his achievements,” The Standard quoted Pkemoi saying.

On his part, Athletics Kenya official Boniface Tiren mourned Macharinyang as "a young and intelligent" man, describing his death as "a sad affair."

"As a region, we have lost a young and intelligent man who could steer his county, that is coming up in sports to a greater height," Tiren was quoted saying by The Star.

Macharinyang made a name for himself in 2005 when he won a silver medal during the Africa Junior Championships in the 10,000m.

The impressive finish came only a year after he had competed in the 2004 world junior championships where he finished fourth.

The 35-year-old later transitioned into marathon, finishing fifth in his debut at the Stramilano Half Marathon in 2008.

He went on to seal another fifth-place finish a year later during the Udine Half Marathon in Italy.

Jepkosgei wins London Marathon

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported Joyciline Jepkosgei has dethroned Brigid Kosgei to emerge this year's winner of the London Marathon.

Brigid was aiming for a third consecutive victory in the London Marathon but faltered to miss out on a place on the podium altogether.

Jepkosgei posted an impressive 2:17:43 to claim gold, with Ethiopia's Degitu Azimeraw settling for silver.

The time clocked by Jepkosgei saw her become the seventh-fastest female marathoner in history.