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The running community was yesterday left in a state of disbelief upon hearing the tragic news of the untimely death of Joseph Chebet, an exceptional marathon runner.

Hailing from Kapyego, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Chebet’s remarkable journey took him from humble beginnings to becoming a trailblazing force in major city marathons around the world, including the prestigious Abbott Majors.

With wins in renowned cities like Boston and New York during the late 1990s, Chebet established himself as a paragon of focused determination and unwavering composure. His success not only brought him personal glory but also served as an inspiration to countless aspiring athletes, igniting their belief in the limitless possibilities within their reach.

While eulogising the fallen hero, President of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) Paul Tergat expressed his deep sympathies and condolences to Chebet’s family, friends, and fellow athletes, extending his prayers for strength and fortitude during this trying time.

“I am devastated by this loss, coming on while I am away in Pyeongchang, Korea for the New Horizons Academy, a legacy project of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Youth Olympic Games to help young athletes, especially and, including non-winter regions like Africa to practice and qualify for the 2024 Gangwon similar event,” his condolence message read in part.