Timothy Kiplagat Ronoh overcame the grief of having lost his training partner and friend Kelvin Kiptum to finish second in the Tokyo Marathon 2024.
Kiplagat had been part of a team of athletes who trained with Kiptum at the high-altitude areas in the Rift Valley.
In the videos and photos seen by The Kenya Times, Kiptum and Kiplagat were captured in a training session running in full throttle as part of their preparations for their upcoming races.
Kiptum, on one hand, was preparing to compete in the Rotterdam Marathon slated to take place in April 2024 in the Netherlands while Kiplagat was training for the Tokyo Marathon.
Both appeared in high spirits as they took on the course in Elgeyo Marakwet County where they frequently held their sessions, looking poised for success in their respective races.
But the unexpected happened on February 10. Kiptum’s hope of running a marathon in under two hours were cut short after a grisly accident that claimed his life and that of his coach Gervais Hakizimana.
According to sources close to the training facilities in the area, Kiptum’s death had dealt a major blow to Kiplagat’s morale to an extent where he stopped training.
At the time, Timothy Kiplagat even contemplated dropping out of the Tokyo race which was only two weeks away.
Also Read: Kelvin Kiptum: The Kenyan Runner Who Redefined What It Takes to Win Marathons
Timothy Kiplagat Shines in Tokyo
But his coach Nicholas Chemogos reportedly encouraged him to carry on with his preparations despite the huge loss of a friend and a training partner.
On Sunday, March 3, when hundreds of athletes stepped forward at the starting line of the Tokyo Marathon, Kiplagat was among the notable names alongside compatriots Benson Kipruto and Eliud Kipchoge.
One hour into the race, Benson Kipruto, Timothy Kiplagat, Vincent Ngetich and Eliud Kipchoge were part of the leading pack competing to win the race.
A test of perseverance and resilience would then ensue as the athletes from Kenya pushed to claim glory in the Japanese capital.
After two hours, Benson Kipruto emerged victorious followed by Timothy Kiplagat who had come from mourning his friend and training compatriot.
He finished second after clocking 2:02:55, just a few seconds behind winner Kipruto.
Also Read: Eliud Kipchoge Finishes 10th as Another Kenyan Rises to Win Tokyo Marathon
Kenyans from different quarters have since come out to congratulate Kiplagat and his compatriots for having led Kenyans to a clean sweep of all available medals in the men’s race.
In a statement, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said, “Special congratulations to Timothy Kiplagat who was training for Tokyo with the late Kelvin Kiptum for finishing 2nd despite the grief & pain of losing a friend and a training partner. Well done.”
In October 2022, Kiplagat ran two hours, nine minutes and 12 seconds to set a new course race in the Melbourne City Marathon.
He also finished second in the Rotterdam Marathon in 2023 as part of his promising career as a Marathon runner.
