By Ndi Eugene Ndi
A Kenyan athlete, Charles Kipkorir Kipsang, collapsed and died after finishing the Mount Cameroon Race Hope in Buea in the South West region on Saturday February 24, authorities said.
The 33-year-old who was at his fourth participation in the 39 kilometers race that involves ascending and descending Mount Cameroon – the highest mountain in Central and West Africa led the race until he suffered a malaise close to the finish line according to South West regional governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai.
The governor told the media that the athlete suffered a malaise, “he was not feeling well and stopped the race for some time, and was asked to get into the ambulance but he took some water and continued the race,” Okalia Bilai explained.
Kipsang who was among 19 Kenyans who participated in this year’s edition of the race later succeeded to cross the finish line at the Molyko stadium coming at the 16th position.
Governor Okalia Bilai said it was later when the athlete was called to collect his prize at the dais that he collapsed and was rushed to the Buea Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“We cannot say exactly what happened. He was good after the race. It is a great loss for the African athletic federation, for his country Kenya, and for us Cameroon,” Okalia Bilai said.
The athlete’s death occurred a day after another Kenyan athlete, marathon world record holder, Kelvin Kiptum was buried in Chepkorio, Elgeyo Marakwet County in his home country.
Over 550 athletes from 11 countries including Cameroon took part in this year’s Mount Cameroon Race across all categories including the senior and junior men and women and the relay, according to media reports.
Nationals, Elvis Nsabinla and Adamu Irine won this year’s edition in the male and female categories respectively.
