Former Seoul Marathon champion Frankline Chepkwony has passed on.
Veteran distance runner Chepkwony passed away on Monday morning after collapsing on his way home following a lengthy run in Baringo County’s Moringwo, Eldama Ravine.
A training partner attempted to provide first aid after Chepkwony fainted, according to his uncle, Joseph Tele, before a concerned citizen transported him to Eldama Ravine Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
“I was called when he was rushed to the hospital and unfortunately he passed on. We are now planning on his burial. We shall announce the date of his burial once we agree as a family,” said Tele
A training mate by the name Mike Boit,, said they had a programme of about 23km on Monday morning and did some warm down exercises before parting ways
“Our programme went on well and he was in high spirits during training. I was called when I got home that my friend had collapsed and I couldn’t believe it. I rushed to his home where I confirmed indeed he was no more,” said Boit, a marathoner
The deceased Chepkwony, who participated in the Nairobi City Marathon last month, was still recovering, according to Boit.
Chepkwony made his international debut in 2012 by winning the Zurich Marathon in 2:10:57 and later that year placed second in the Eindhoven Marathon, when he ran his personal best of 2:06:11.
He finished first at the 2013 Amsterdam Marathon in 2:09:53 after winning the 2013 Seoul Marathon in 2:06:59.
In 2014, he made his World Marathon Majors debut by placing third in the Boston Marathon, which was won by American Meb Keflezighi. Wilson Chebet of Kenya came in second.
His body has since been moved to the Eldama Ravine Hospital mortuary