Kenyan athlete Charles Kipsang Kipkorir died on Saturday 24 after a Mountain Race in Buea, Cameroon.
According to Cameroon Governor Bernard Okalai Bilia, Kipkorir was leading the race but finished 16th after experiencing breathing difficulties forcing him to stop briefly minutes before the finish line.
Cameroon local media outlets reported that Kipsang suffered a heart attack and efforts to revive him at the stadium were unsuccessful.
“We cannot say exactly what happened. He was fine. He was good after the race. We might believe that it is something like a heart attack,” Bilia told reporters.
Kipkorir collapsed after collecting his prize and was rushed to Buea Regional Hospital where he died minutes later.
“When the Minister and I had left the stadium, some 30 minutes after, we were informed that when he was going to collect his prize, he fell and collapsed,” said Bilia.
Although he appeared exhausted at the finish line, there were no prior indications of poor health.
This was Kipsang’s fourth participation in the Mountain Race of Hope, where he participated in the Men’s Senior Category.
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“It is a very sad situation because he was at his fourth participation. It is a great loss for the African athletic federation, for his country Kenya, and for us Cameroon,” added the Governor.
Over 600 runners from Congo, Ethiopia, France, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Tanzania, Chad, Tunisia and Cameroon took part in the annual competition.
Reports indicate that 19 Kenyans took part in the 29th edition of the race.
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About Cameroon Mountain Race
The Mount Cameroon Race of Hope (foot race) is organized every year and includes a mixed event that permits participants to travel roughly 42 kilometers.
Besides, the race is particularly difficult terrain, with athletes going up and down the mountain, which is over 4,100 meters above sea level.
In most years, the event takes place in January or February but mostly in February.
The competition continues to rank among the largest annual sporting occasions in the Southwest region.
It attracts competitors from almost every part of the nation and abroad.