Kenyans are mourning the death of former great athlete; Paul Koech. Until his death, Koech was a major in the forces.
He started his career in the late 90s and was at the time considered Paul Tergat's biggest competitor, and probably the man who would take over the mantle from Tergat.
he was born in Burnt Forest area of Rift Valley province and attended Ngarwa, Uasin Gishu for his primary education, where he tried sprints.
He later joined Arnesens Secondary school for his secondary education between 1984 and 1987 but did not involve himself with athletics for the first two years.
He later moved to Wareng High School for his Advanced Levels between 1988 and 1989, where he was a day scholar.
He then joined the Armed Forces Training College after a short teaching stint and was based at Kahawa Barracks in 1994.
In 1998 Koech will be remembered for winning the silver medal of the men's long race in Marrakech just behind Paul Tergat.
He also displayed great road running talents, winning the IAAF Half Marathon Championships in Zurich-Ulster in 60:01 ahead of South Africa's Hendrick Ramaala and another cross-country specialist, Khalid Skah of Morocco.