In Pictures: Kelvin Kiptum's burial

Preparations are underway at the late athlete Kelvin Kiptum's final resting place next to his new house in Cherunya, Uasin Gishu County.[Lynn Kolongei,Standard]

The burial ceremony for the late world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum is underway in his parents' home in Chepsamo Village, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Burial ceremony underway in Chesamo.[Kristopher Kipsang,Standard]

In the early morning of February 23, 2024, thousands of mourners flocked to the venue to give the marathoner a heroic send-off.

The body of the late World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum making its way to Chepkorio showground flanked by athletes, Julius Yego, Amos Kipruto, Geoffrey Kamworor.[Christopher Kipsang.standard

Men were already at work digging the grave for the final journey as the burial site had already been identified.

Men preparing the graveside at Cherunya.[Lynn Kolongei,Standard]

The funeral service for the 24-year-old world-beater is being conducted at Chepkorio showground near his parent's home and his remains will be interred at his new home in Cherunya, Lotonyok area in Ainabkoi constituency.

Villagers join others in Kiptum's final send-off.[Kristopher Kisang,Standard]

Initial preparations for the burials were halted at Chepsamo Primary School following a heavy wind that brought down the tents already erected.

Security looked for different venues as the wind brought down erected tents.[ Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

A few minutes to noon, President William Ruto accompanied by deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary and other government officials were already making their way into the burial ceremony.

President William Ruto, Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi among other leaders arrive at Kelvin Kiptum's burial.[Photo,PCS]

Kiptum died on February 11 in a car crash, just a few months after he smashed the world record.

He died in the company of his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana, 36. Hakizimana was laid to rest on Wednesday, this week. A woman who was in their company during the accident survived after sustaining injuries.

An autopsy conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor on Wednesday found that the men's marathon World Record holder sustained skull fractures and broken ribs during the accident that happened at Flax junction along Eldoret-Eldama Ravine road.

The government had planned to give him a befitting send-off on February 24 before a change of plans.

As a result, the state has constructed two houses for Kiptum's parents and another for his widow.

The incomplete house of the late Kelvin Kiptum in Eldoret Uasin Gishu County. [Peter Ochieng, Standard

The marathoner has left behind a widow and two children.

Kelvin Kiptum's son Caleb Kigen Kiptum holding portrait at Chepkorio showground.[Christopher Kipsang, standard.]

The late Kiptum had burst onto the marathon scene in 2022 and recorded three of all times seven fastest races for the event in the three marathons he completed.

He ran the Chicago marathon in October in two hours and 35 seconds, shattering the previous record set by his Kenyan rival Eliud Kipchoge by 34 seconds.

He was the favourite to take gold at the Paris Olympics, where he was expected to go head-to-head with Kipchoge for the first time this year.