Geoffrey Tamu, photo courtesy of the Star (Kenya)
This sad story was on our emails this morning. The story, from the Star, a newspaper in Kenya, and the story, by Stanley Magut tells the tragic story of a Kenyan runner, Geoffrey Tamu, who died after leading most of the race. An autopsy will follow, plus an investigation by Athletics Kenya. This is quite unusual in races in Kenya.
RunBlogRun journalist Justin Lagat noted, on FB that he knew Geoffrey and was quite saddened to hear about the death of the father of four, who was only 30 years old. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Athlete Dies in Race, by Stanley Magut, the Star
AN athlete died on Sunday during the Kimbilio Marathon organised by Living Room International at Chebaywo village in Uasin Gishu County.
Geoffrey Tarno, who hails from Chepsaita village in Nandi County, fainted after leading for the better part of the race.
Tarno, 30, a father of four, was leading pack of 10 athletes before breaking away. He then led until the last 2km when he collapsed and died before reaching hospital. Living Room International, managing director, Joel Sawe said the athlete fainted and he was immediately picked up by an ambulance that was trailing the runners.
Sawe said efforts to resuscitate the athlete failed as he died while undergoing treatment. His body is still lying at Kimbilia Funeral Home. His immediate family has since been informed although the cause of his death is yet to be established until after the post-mortem results are released. The matter was reported to Tarbo Police Station.
Athletics Kenya (AK) Central Rift chairman, Abraham Mutai, ordered the organiser (Keino Sports) to give the full report of the event.
– See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-139681/athlete-dies-race#sthash.HBcG7XwA.dpuf
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
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