Wesly Ngetich, 34, was shot through the chest with an arrow in his hometown region of Trans Mara, Ngetich's manager, Hussein Makke, told the Duluth News Tribune. Ngetich was married with three children.

"He was quiet, he was intense, but he also had a great sense of humor," said Steve Salowitz of Two Harbors, with whom Ngetich stayed for two of the three years he came to Grandma's Marathon. "He carried a lot of pride, which was found in his Maasai tribe."

The Maasai tribe supports Opposition Leader Raila Odinga over incumbent Mwai Kibaki, who was returned to office in a disputed last month, Salowitz said.

News of his death was taken hard by the Grandma's Marathon staff, which is preparing for the June 21 race and expecting Ngetich, one of only five two-time winners, to defend his title.

"As a runner, he expressed that he loved the people and the community of Duluth, and I know the people here cheered for him," race Executive Director Scott Keenan said. "This news is an amazing shock for us."