Why I went straight to marathon running - Benson Kipruto explains
7th May 2024
Kipruto, who is expected to wear team Kenya’s jersey for the first time, took running seriously when he was aged 24.
- Benson Kipruto revealed that he did not compete in track events because of the age factor.
- The former Chicago Marathon champion used to work as a trader and farmer.
- He was influenced by his friends to venture into road race running.
One-time Chicago Marathon winner Benson Kipruto has revealed
the main reason he skipped track events in his incredible career.
Kipruto made the revelations during an interview on Sport
On, as he prepares to don the Kenyan jersey for the first time.
According to the Kapsabet-based star, unlike most of the
Kenyan athletes, he did not compete on the track since he did not have enough
time to do so.
“I got the first opportunity in the road running that is
number one. Number two, my age also way advanced. I was a bit of an adult, so I
had no time to waste in track and field.
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I was 24 when I started running. Before then it was my shop
and a bit of farming,” the recently crowned Tokyo Marathon winner divulged.
Kipruto, whose elder brother Dickson Chumba has also bagged
the coveted Tokyo Marathon title in the past, further disclosed that he never
took running serious after completing his studies.
He noted that he tried to make a living from farming and
trading before eventually deciding to return to running.
“I started the normal running in primary school and then proceeded to secondary school, where I continued running. And I stopped there. Running ended there. When I came to my rural area, I started business and I was out of running completely.
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While I was in my rural area running a shop, I started
running a bit in the morning and I met my friends there who were training
around my area. I was influenced by them to run,” explained Kipruto.
The 33-year-old currently trains in Kapsabet alongside the
likes of former London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto and multiple Boston
Marathon winner Evans Chebet.
He is the only one from his camp who is set to represent
Kenya in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Kipruto will work together with Alexander Mutiso Munyao and
the veteran Eliud Kipchoge in the eagerly anticipated games which starts on
July 26.
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When asked about how he feels to represent his nation, the
road race runner who grew up in Tolilet stated that it means the world to him.
“I am so happy to represent my country for the very first time. I will be so happy to be in Paris.
Since I started running, it has been running in my mind that one time I will represent Kenya. And this is the moment now,” ended Kipruto.
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