•Tuwei further noted that Kiptum took care of all the nine training mates and pacesetters in terms of food, transport accommodation and training gear.
•He said this will be done in discussion with Kiptum's, Elgeyo Marakwet county government and to other partners who were supporting Kiptum's marathon career.
Image: XINHUA
A foundation was on Friday launched to help fund education and infrastructure projects which Kelvin Kiptum was engaged in.
Making the announcement, Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei said the move is to keep the dreams of the late marathoner alive.
"To keep the memory of Kiptum alive and support his family and community, Golazo is launching the Kelvin Kiptum Foundation," Tuwei announced.
"The fund will predominantly provide continued financial support for education and infrastructure."
Tuwei reiterated the commitment by Athletics Kenya to fully support the programme.
He said this would be done in discussion with Kiptum's, Elgeyo Marakwet county government and other partners who were supporting Kiptum's marathon career.
"We intend to discuss this with the family of Kiptum, the county government of Elgeyo Marakwet and other partners like Nike to see that all pending payments due to Kiptum are paid to this foundation," Tuwei said.
Tuwei further recommended a sporting facility be considered in Chepkorio as per the Kiptum's wish to support the new talents in line with the Talanta Hela programme.
He said according to one of Kiptum's training mates, his dream was to make the world know that there was a training place called Chepkorio.
Tuwei further noted that Kiptum took care of all the nine training mates and pacesetters in terms of food, transport accommodation and training gear.
He also took care of his couch, his family and school children's fees within the village.
Tuwei eulogised Kiptum and Henry Rono, another record-breaking athlete who passed on February 15 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nairobi as people who won clean without shortcuts.
He said that Rono, who broke four world records in 1978, will be laid to rest on Wednesday next week.
"Let us all celebrate and be inspired to greatness by these performances that were a result of hard work devoid of shortcuts," Tuwei said.
"They ran well, they ran clean, and they didn’t have any problems that we are seeing today."
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich on Thursday said that the county will name a road in the county after the fallen athlete and World Marathon Record holder Kelvin Kiptum.
The governor said in doing so, Kiptum’s name, history and legacy would be remembered by generations to come even those who never knew him.
Speaking at Iten Sportsground when he led hundreds of residents in viewing the late athlete’s body, the governor said Kiptum’s record would not be easy to break.