Media reports say he was taken to Buea Regional Hospital but staff there were not able to revive the 32-year-old athlete. Kipsang reportedly fell ill shortly shortly before crossing the finish line, coming in 16th place in Molyko Stadium. It was his fourth time taking part in the 42-kilometer competition in which he ran in the Men’s Senior Category.
The region’s governor Bernard Okalai Bilia reportedly told the press that Kipsang may have suffered a heart attack. The Kenya Times reported that the competition — which included 600 runners —includes rugged terrain located more than four thousand meters above sea level.
The yearly Cameroon race this weekend attracted 600 runners from several African countries including Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Chad, Cameroon and Morocco. Nineteen runners from Kenya also took part.
The tragedy took place just weeks after the death of Kenyan World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum died in a car accident.