Jogging to school
She was one of seven children raised by a single mother in Elgeyo-Marakwet county, a region in the Rift Valley known to produce some of Kenya's top runners. And like some other Kenyan athletes before her, Kosgei discovered she could run while in primary school, when she had to jog to class in the morning. "My school was 10km from home and sometimes to avoid getting late I would run. On my way I met athletes who were training and said to myself: 'I can be like them,'" she said. She started competing in middle-distance events at school and though she was never selected to represent her country, her talent was never in doubt. After raising school fees became a challenge for her mother, Kosgei decided to drop out of school in January 2012 during her final year, given that her studies were now coming second to her track training. "By the time I was in form three, the arrears were over $1,500 (£1,200). My mother tried to convince me to stay on by saying she would borrow the money but I told her: 'For how long will we keep borrowing?"Career break to have twins
But now, aged 17, she was able to take her running seriously - something that has repaid her family in spades and pays for all her younger siblings' school fees. She began training with her boyfriend Mathew Kosgei, who is now her husband. A year later she took a career break after giving birth to twins. But motherhood did not dent her determination. In 2015 she picked up where she had left off, this time moving to join a training camp not far from her home, run by her coach. Such camps in Kenya offer athletes an environment where they can focus on training away from the distractions of everyday life. For female athletes, the decision to stay away from their families, especially children, is often a difficult one but those who do it usually have good family support. "My husband told me not to worry - he would take care of the children - and that I should just focus on my career and soon the children also got used to seeing me only on the weekends when I'd return home," said Kosgei.'My mother is very happy'
Within months of joining the camp, she ran her first marathon, in November 2015 in Portugal, romping home in first place, beating the competition by more than four minutes. Her decision to go into marathon running was informed by the very competitive nature of track events. At her training camp there were more marathon runners and it was easier for her to get training partners. She now trains with her male teammates to improve her endurance. "It is very difficult training with them because they are very fast but when I want to give up, I tell myself: 'No, keep moving.'" Her season is over but she is currently ranked the top female marathon runner of 2019. Next year her focus will turn to the biggest sports event of all - the Olympic Games. She is now heading back to her home village to visit her mum, for whom she has bought land and a house with her previous winnings, and will spend time with her husband and children. "My mother is waiting for me to get back home and she was very happy when I broke the record," she said.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Ejisu by-election: Independent ex-NPP MP’s campaign team warns party against dubious tactics
2 mins -
ZEN Petroleum supports Tse-Addo Future Leaders School
48 mins -
NPP must win back Adentan seat in 2024 polls – Obeng Fosu
1 hour -
PPA Clarification: The dark side of the World Bank’s ‘giveaways’ in Ghana by Bright Simons
2 hours -
Blinken says China helping fuel Russian threat to Ukraine
3 hours -
MHA declares May as Purple Month for Mental Health Awareness
3 hours -
WAEC arrests former headmaster over illegal students registration
3 hours -
MeToo founder Tarana Burke defiant after Harvey Weinstein ruling
3 hours -
Be alert, insist on decent messages – Dwumfour tells media
4 hours -
Father jailed 10 years for burning daughter’s genitals with hot cutlasses
4 hours -
I aim to help Ghana produce world-class athletes – Asamoah Gyan
4 hours -
Ashanti Regional Minister alleges sabotage in electricity supply
4 hours -
2024 Elections: Dampare urges Ghanaians to prioritise patriotism and display maturity
4 hours -
‘Let it rot’ campaign hits fish prices in Egypt
4 hours -
Otumfuo chalks 25 years on Golden Stool today
4 hours