Kenyan athlete Charles Kipsang Kipkorir has passed away after taking part in the 29th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope where he came 16th in the Senior Men’s category.
After crossing the finish line at the Molyko Stadium, the 32-year-old is said to have slumped and all attempts by the medical team to rescue him proved insufficient.
In the midst of speculations that a heart attack caused his demise, South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, confirmed that the medical unit is yet to know what killed Charles.
“When the Minister and myself had left the stadium, some 30 minutes after, we were informed that when he was going to collect his own prize, he fell down [and] collapsed.
They carried him to the Regional Hospital, he had already passed away,” Okalia Bilai stated following his visit at the Buea Regional Hospital on Saturday evening.
“So we cannot say exactly what happened. But he was good, he was fine after the race. He spoke directly with the president of the federation, Mr Motombi who said that he was well, he was good…,” he added.
Despite leading until the final kilometer, Kipsang suffered a heart attack and had to halt several times causing Cameroonian-born Elvis Nsabinla to overtake him as the first.
News of Kipsang’s death came after winners of the race had received their prizes and gifts.
It was the fourth time he was participating at the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, which saw over 19 Kenyan athletes in action.
Charles’ death makes it two for Kenya within two weeks after Kelvin Kiptum aged 24 died in a road accident on February 11, 2024 in Kaptagat, Kenya.