Kenyan retired long-distance runner Mary Keitany holds the women-only marathon record of 2:17:01, set on April 23, 2017, at the London Marathon. Mary Keitany won seven marathon titles before her retirement. How Keitany rose from shoeless prodigy to the top Which medals did Mary Keitany win? Inside Mary Keitany’s business Chamastar Hotel Who are the wealthiest athletes in Kenya? Mary Keitany’s difficult childhood Coming from Baringo county, situated eastward of Eldoret, the epicentre of Kenyan running, numerous accomplished athletes hail from the region. However, Keitany’s impoverished upbringing initially set her apart from their ranks. In a comprehensive interview with The New York Times, Keitany delved into her challenging childhood. She recounted living in a household devoid of electricity or basic amenities, often lacking shoes during her formative years. Working as a house help As a young child, her responsibilities included trekking several kilometres to fetch water from a nearby river for cooking and cleaning. Facing financial constraints, Keitany’s parents, both striving as subsistence farmers, couldn’t afford her modest school fees beyond her mid-teens. At 15, she assisted her parents and five siblings by working as a live-in maid nearly 20 kilometres away. Her duties involved caring for three infants, sometimes separated from her family for months. Reflecting on her challenging circumstances, Keitany remarked: “It was not an easy job. But I was earning money to support my parents. I kept thinking, ‘If I don’t do this, then what?'” How Keitany rose from shoeless prodigy to the top Following a two-year break, Keitany resumed her education with the financial aid of a relative. She enrolled in the National Hidden Talents Academy near Nairobi, renowned for its community-based approach, mainly catering to orphaned and vulnerable children. The academy prioritised physical education, a tradition it upholds, boasting numerous Kenyan internationals across various sports. Keitany’s innate talent in the running, evident since her early teens before the hiatus, flourished at the academy. Upon completing high school in her early twenties, Keitany caught the attention of local races, where she showcased her talent. Lenah Cheruiyot, a Kenyan international runner who ranked seventh in the 2002 World Athletics Half Marathon Championships, recognised Keitany’s potential and offered assistance. In early 2006, Keitany took a leap of faith, transitioning into a full-time runner. Since then, she has never looked back. Which medals did Mary Keitany win? According to World Athletics, Keitany is a seven-time marathon winner who made her mark in the major races worldwide. She is a one-time world half-marathon champion and bagged silver in the same competition. To date, she stands as the sole woman, aside from Grete Waitz, to secure victory in the New York Marathon on more than three occasions. Keitany also left her mark on the London Marathon. Her initial triumph occurred in 2011, followed by additional victories in the British capital in 2012 and 2017. Inside Mary Keitany’s business Having bagged millions, Keitany invested in her home town of Kabarnet, giving the Moi family stiff competition in the hospitality industry. Chamastar Hotel Alongside her husband, Charles Koech, the decorated athletes established Chamastar Hotel. This came after Keitany retired in 2021 due to a back injury. According to its website, the hotel is designed for business and leisure travel. It offers accommodation and conference rooms that can host up to 400 people. Former Baringo governor Stanley Kiptis officially launched the facility. The couple also runs the Winstar Hotel in Eldoret.
by Japhet Ruto