Tears of sorrow flowed freely during the burial of Francis Kiplagat in his Flax Village, Uasin Gishu county today.
His death brought together athletes, friends and family following the grisly accident that took place last Monday at Kikopey along Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
The last born in the family was the bread winner and his demise means the family has lost the pillar as athletes discribed him as a dedicated person both in training and focused to his career.
Kiplagat won the Srem and Bialystok half marathons.
Kiplagat’s brother Reuben Cheruiyot said his death is a big loss to the family that heavily depended on him.
“We really depended on him financially and morale support as the only runner hoping he would uplift our family to a better level,” said Cheruiyot adding that he also paid school fees for his nieces and nephews and his death has grounded everything.
Representing athletes, head Coach Joseph Cheromei said that the athletics family has lost a member who was so promising and the death denied him future medals for the country.
“As athletes, we have lost one of our own. As we mourn Kiplagat I urge athletes to remain united,” said Cheromei.
The athlete was traveling from Nairobi to Eldoret in accompany of 2010 Africa 5,000m silver medalist former Vincent Yator who survived with minor injuries.
The two traveled to Nairobi to process their visa ahead of Paris half marathon set for next month.