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Kenyan athlete Charles Kipkorir collapses, dies after race in Cameroon

Kenyan athlete Charles Kipsang Kipkorir.

By Eastleigh Voice Reporter | 25 Feb 2024

Kipkorir who succeeded in crossing the finish line thereafter, collapsed after collecting his prize. He was rushed to the hospital where he died minutes later.

Kenyan athlete Charles Kipsang Kipkorir collapsed and later died at the finish of Saturday's Mount Cameroon Race of Hope.

According to Cameroonian media reports efforts to resuscitate him were futile.

The 33-year-old athlete was leading the race but felt discomfort that forced him to briefly stop minutes to the finish line, said Bernard Okalai Bilia, governor of the Southwest region where the race took place.

Kipkorir who succeeded in crossing the finish line thereafter, collapsed after collecting his prize. He was rushed to the hospital where he died minutes later.

"We cannot say exactly what happened. He was fine. He was good after the race. We might believe that it is something like a heart attack," Bilia told reporters Saturday evening while announcing his death.

"It is a very sad situation because he was at his fourth participation. It is a great loss for the African athletic federation, for his country Kenya, and for us Cameroon."

Over 600 runners from Congo, Ethiopia, France, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Tanzania, Chad, Tunisia and Cameroon took part in the annual competition.

Kipkorir's death comes just two weeks after Kenya lost World Marathon Record Holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana in a road accident on the Kaptagat - Eldoret Road.

Kiptum was buried last Friday in Chepkorio, Elgeyo Marakwet County in an event attended by top government officials led by President William Ruto, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe and other top athletes.