by Xinhua correspondent Kimathi Kamau

NAIROBI, March 1 (Xinhua) -- A week has passed since Kenya honored marathon prodigy Kelvin Kiptum with a state funeral in the northwestern part of the country, marking his birthplace, training ground, and the site of his tragic demise in a road accident in mid-February alongside his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana.

In just 10 months, Kiptum, 24, catapulted from relative anonymity to marathon stardom with victories at the 2022 Valencia Marathon, the 2023 London Marathon, and a world record-breaking performance in Chicago in October 2023.

As the dust settles over his resting place in Naiberi village, the focus shifts to the legacy of his brief yet impactful life. The Kenyan government, led by President William Ruto, celebrated Kiptum as a national hero during his marathon seven-hour funeral service and pledged support for his young widow and family.

"Kiptum had more reasons not to succeed than he had to succeed but he worked against the odds. He could have said I come from village that is not very known, or I come from a family that cannot cater for me or that I don't have even running shoes, that he ran barefoot in his earlier days, but he did not see those impediments to his ambition and his success," Ruto said.

Hours after the fatal accident that claimed his life, the government announced Kiptum would be given a state funeral, a rare honor largely reserved for leading political figures in the 60-year history of the Kenyan nation. Ruto then ordered two three-bedroomed houses to be constructed - one for his father, Samson Cheruiyot and another for his widow, Asenath Rotich and his two children, son Caleb and daughter Precious, in just seven days.

Kenya's Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga disclosed that the rapid construction of the house, emblematic of Kiptum's swift rise, utilized Light Gauge Steel technology at a cost of seven million shillings (47,680 U.S. dollars). Additionally, during the funeral, it was announced that Asenath would receive another house, and the family would benefit from over 34,000 dollars from the state.

The government said it would pursue all the monies owed to Kiptum from his victories at the Valencia, London, and Chicago Marathons as well as from endorsements and make sure they are channeled to the benefit of his family.

Ruto further promised the government would refurbish the Chepsamo, Kamariny and Eldoret stadiums to give athletes from the talent-rich regions facilities to train for excellence in memory of the fallen marathon star. The former stadium near his home village of Chepkorio/Naiberi is set to be named after Kiptum once completed.

Perhaps the most telling statement the president made at the funeral service could turn out to be Kiptum's lasting legacy on Kenyan elite running.

In recent years, a number of talented young Kenyan athletes have lost their lives in road accidents or murder, raising questions about the perceived lack of concern for their welfare amid claims of mismanagement. Furious debate was ignited in internet chatrooms and social media over why such a high profile sports person was driving himself at the hour of the night he crashed his vehicle - 11pm (2000 GMT).

Ruto reportedly spent time with the athletes to hear their views on what needs to be done to avoid the untimely loss of lives like Kiptum and others, including the Beijing 2015 World Championships 400m Hurdles champion, Nicholas Bett, who died in a dawn road accident in 2018.

During the candid talks, athletes asked for drivers and state security to be provided to athletes who have done their nation proud, a call that was repeated during Kiptum's funeral by Beijing 2015 world men's javelin champion, Julius Yego and other speakers.

Following the talks, Ruto reportedly put former world marathon record holder Paul Tergat, the two-time Olympic silver winner, in 10,000m, who currently heads Kenya's Olympic Committee, in charge of the proposed program to mentor young athletes on their welfare and wealth.

Should these efforts bear fruit, Kiptum could eventually be remembered as the turning point that saw Kenya review the manner in which it manages its young, talented athletes who stumble into wealth in a short span of time.

Kiptum was penned to attack the mythical sub-two-hour marathon at the 2024 Rotterdam Marathon on April 14. Following his passing, Rotterdam announced it had retired Bib Number 1, which he was to wear.

Rotterdam also promised to contribute 61,500 U.S. dollars to the Kelvin Kiptum Foundation, which his Golazo Sports Management set up following his death.

Speaking at his burial, Golazo CEO Bob Verbeeck- a retired Belgian distance runner-- said the Kiptum Foundation would seek to identify and nurture talent from Chepsamo and the surrounding area in south east Kenya that is a catchment area for distance running talent.

The foundation will then be used to honor the wishes of the late star who had outlined plans to start a training camp having struggled to be noticed before his breakthrough in Valencia.

With the international spring distance running season already underway, tributes to Kiptum are expected to be organized by races or paid for by his compatriots and other athletes.

It remains to be seen whether the class of 2024 will surpass Kenya's best gold medal tallies from the Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016 Summer Games, where they brought home six top medals apiece. What is certain is that Kiptum's name will echo at big races around the world and at the Olympics in France, where his star will never shine.

Kiptum's name is bound to remain in history books for a generation or beyond, according to athletics experts. His staggering performances in the three marathons he ran at the top level, starting with his astonishing 2:01:53 debut in Valencia, will take some beating. Enditem

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