Kenyans woke up to sombre news on Sunday after learning that marathoner Charles Kipsang Kipkorir collapsed and later died moments after finishing a competitive race in Cameroon on Saturday, February 24.
According to Cameroonian media outlets, Kipkorir who was taking part in the 29th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, passed on while being resuscitated.
The athlete had taken a commanding lead during the race, before he started slowing down after experiencing bouts of difficulty, just metres to the finish line.
Kipkorir would later finish in 16th place according to Cameroonian Governor Bernard Okalai Bilia.
After crossing the finish line, the Kenyan athlete collapsed in what was suspected to be a heart attack.
Medics on standby at the Molkyo Stadium administered first aid to stabilise the Kenyan athlete before he was rushed to Buea Regional Hospital.
"We cannot say exactly what happened. We might believe that it is something like a heart attack," Bilia remarked moments after Kipkorir’s death was confirmed.
“We were informed that when he was going to collect his prize, he fell and collapsed. They carried him to the Regional Hospital, he had already passed away.”
Kipkorir was the star of the event, having been the first foreign athlete to register for the Cameroon mountain race, Africa's oldest international athletic competition.
At the time of his passing, Kipkorir was 33 years old and at the peak of his career.
Kipkorir had participated in other races before including; the Bali Marathon, the Kuala Lumpur Marathon and the Casablanca Half Marathon.
His death came barely two weeks after Kenya lost World record marathon holder Kelvin Kiptum through a road accident.
