Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei: Olympian mourned after vicious attack

The death of Ugandan Olympian and long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei has deeply saddened her loved ones and has shocked the East African sports community.

The woman, who was 33 years old and had two children, passed away on Thursday morning from serious burns. Her former partner threw petrol on her and set her on fire last Sunday in front of her home in north-west Kenya.

Agnes Cheptegei, the athlete's mother, was very upset when she spoke to the press outside the hospital where her daughter passed away. She could only say a few words to honor her daughter, calling her kind and a "good child".

Violet's sister was overcome with emotion, tearfully expressing, "I am hurting, but we trust in God."

Cheptegei had recently come back from a church service when her ex-partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, allegedly assaulted her, according to the police. Her children, who are young daughters, witnessed the attack and attempted to stop it.

According to those honoring her memory, Cheptegei was known for her generosity above all else.

James Kirwa - occasionally ran with Cheptegei during training sessions - spoke with the BBC shortly after her passing, recalling her as a seasoned athlete who was always supportive and friendly to fellow runners in the community.

"She was a very friendly person who always went out of her way to assist others, including offering financial help. When she returned from the Olympics in Paris, she even brought me a pair of training shoes," shared the athlete from Uganda.

Cheptegei was in Paris participating in the Olympic marathon, where he finished in 44th place with a time of two hours, 32 minutes, and 14 seconds.

She didn't have as much success as some of the other runners in the area.

However, winning medals is not the only way to make money. She was still able to contribute to her family's financial needs by earning money from competing in races.

When she was 19 years old, she competed for Uganda in an under-20 race at the 2010 World Cross Country Championships for the first time.

She eventually started participating in longer races on the road, finding success in the later stages of her career.

She achieved her biggest win in the mountain race with both uphill and downhill sections during the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

She ran her first marathon in 2021 and achieved her best time of two hours, 22 minutes, and 47 seconds the next year, establishing herself as the second fastest female runner from Uganda.

During her time as a runner, she also served in the Ugandan military and reached the rank of corporal.

Many athletes in East Africa choose to enlist in their country's military for the financial support it provides, allowing them to focus on their track training rather than traditional military duties.

There isn't a lot of information about how Cheptegei ended up joining the Uganda People's Defence Forces, but she was part of their athletics team and competed for her country at the World Military Games in Rio de Janeiro back in 2011.

Due to her extensive experience in competing globally for 14 years, Kirwa considered her as a mentor and older sibling figure whom he relied on for guidance and encouragement.

"When I began, I was close to quitting because it was so challenging. But she encouraged me to keep going and not give up," he shared.

Cheptegai had relocated to Kenya to be close to the country's famous sports training facilities, which are situated near the area where she grew up in Uganda.

Immaculate Chemutai, a runner from Uganda, visited Cheptegai in the hospital along with other friends like Kirwa. She had a glimmer of hope that her friend would pull through as there was some improvement by Wednesday evening and her breathing seemed to have stabilized.

Early today, I got a call from the doctor who shared the unfortunate news that we had lost Rebecca. It's truly heartbreaking. She was such a kind and wonderful person, always looking out for us. This news has left us feeling very sad.

"She has a strong affection for her family, particularly the girls. Occasionally, she helps us out with financial assistance when needed - we just have to ask and she will provide."

Her father Joseph Cheptegei repeated this sentiment, expressing that they have lost the person who provided for their family.

He mentioned that he was now concerned about the educational well-being of the two girls in the absence of their mother's support.

The effects of her passing are being experienced beyond just her close loved ones.

Some see it as part of a larger issue of violence against women in the area, where even elite athletes are not immune to harm.

I am still in disbelief and feeling hurt, especially as an athlete. It is upsetting to see another incident of an athlete being attacked in Kenya. This situation is disturbing and we are not pleased about it, stated Milcah Chemos Cheywa, the Kenyan runner.

In 2021, Agnes Tirop, who held a world record, was killed by being stabbed. Then, six months later, Damaris Mutua was killed by being strangled. The authorities identified their partners as the main suspects in both cases.

Tirop's Angels, a group formed after Tirop's tragic death, is calling for the community, sports organizations, and officials to come together and take significant action to safeguard the lives of women and girls. They are advocating for measures to prevent further losses and protect vulnerable individuals.

Sebastian Coe, the leader of the international organization that oversees athletics, stated that their group will collaborate with local organizations to ensure that female athletes are safeguarded from various forms of mistreatment.

He grieved for an athlete who he believed "still had much more to offer".

Kirwa is deeply saddened by Cheptegei's passing. He shared that he will not be taking part in the Nairobi City Marathon this Sunday because he is feeling very upset and not in a good mental state.

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