Kenyan Seoul International Marathon champion and Frankline Chepkwony is dead.

The long-distance runner collapsed and died as he returned home from a long run in Moringwo, Eldama Ravine Sub-County, Baringo County, on Monday, July 7, 2023.

A training mate tried to administer first aid to Chepkwony when he collapsed before he was rushed to Eldama Ravine Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

According to his uncle, Joseph Tele, the family is now planning Chepkwony’s burial.

“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,” Tele said, as quoted by a local media outlet.

Chepkwony’s training mate shocked

According to Mike Boit, Chepkwony’s training mate, they had a 23km programme on the fateful day before they parted ways. Boit said Chepkwony was jovial during the training session before they went separate ways, only for him to be called later and get informed that his mate had collapsed.

“Our programme went 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 that he was no more,” Boit explained.

Chepkwony was mourned by Dennis Kimetto, a world marathon record holder, as a humble man who was also a good team player.

“He was a humble athlete who always demonstrated teamwork. It is so sad that he had to die in such a manner. We shall miss him,” Kimetto, who used to train with Chepkwony at Kapng’etuny in Ainabkoi, Uasin Gishu, said.

Chepkwony’s career

Chepkwony first participated in the marathon in 2011 during the Nairobi Marathon edition and emerged second. His international debut was marked at the 2012 Zurich Marathon, where he won in 2:10:57.

He recorded a personal best of 2:06:11 during the Eindhoven Marathon in October 2012, although he finished second to Dickson Chumba. 

Chepkwony won the Seoul International Marathon in 2:06:59 for running under 2:10:00 before he participated in his second marathon in the Netherlands in October and finished disappointingly seventh in the Amsterdam Marathon.

In November, he rose from his disappointing Amsterdam Marathon performance and won the Boulogne-Billancourt Half Marathon in France, where he set a course record of 1:00:11.

He was third, behind American Meb Keflezighi and Kenyan Wilson Chebet, in the 2014 Boston Marathon, and this was his first top finish in the World Marathon Majors.