[PHOTOS] Final farewell as Limousine carrying Kiptum's body snakes through Eldoret streets

Known as the Home of the Champions, Eldoret town on Thursday came to a standstill.

The town marked an important stage for a final, solemn marathon as the body of World Marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, embarked on an 80-kilometer journey through familiar streets.

The hearse, a symbol of departure and memory, rolled steadily, flanked by a solemn escort of athletes who had once shared the track and trained alongside Kiptum.

As the hearse traversed the town's roads, a quiet procession unfolded as residents stood at the roadside to bid farewell to their son.

The hearse, a black limousine adorned with a wreathe of flowers opened its 'side wings' for the public to have a clear final look at Kiptum's casket.

Kiptum's two children shared the same hearse that carried their father's last earthly journey.

The body will travel escorted by a procession for about 80 km through Eldoret town to Iten town and then to his parent's home at Kipsamo village in Elgeyo Marakwet county.

The funeral programme indicates that the athletes will walk for about half a kilometer escorting the hearse in Eldoret town.

Athletics Kenya official Barnabas Korir says all set for the country to give Kiptum a heroes send-off.

Residents of Iten town in his home county will be allowed to view the body when it arrives in the town at about 1 pm.

From Iten town, the body will be taken to a local church at Kipsamo where a brief service will be held followed by the viewing of the body and a night vigil ahead of the main funeral service and burial on Friday.