In Addis Ababa
Mirian Jelagat never imagined she would ever board a plane. So, when organisers of the Great Ethiopian Run 10km road race contacted her on October 29 to request her passport to make travel arrangements, she initially thought it was a prank.
The 30-year-old quit her job as a security guard in 2021 to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a professional athlete.
Yesterday, she made her international debut at the 24th edition of the Great Ethiopian Run in Addis Ababa.
“I’m so excited because this was my first time boarding a plane. I was even touching it to make sure that indeed it was a plane and not a vehicle… it came as a surprise to me and I couldn’t have thought that I would compete in an international race so soon. This is a dream come true because I really wanted to board a plane even if it was a small one,” she said.
Jelagat’s passion for athletics was ignited by watching junior athletes from Global Sports Communication, who used to train at Lewa Farm in Eldoret, owned by the legendary Kipchoge Keino.
“I used to open the gate for athletes coming for training like Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Jackline Chepkoech and Olympic 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist Faith Cherotich,” she recalled.
An aeral shot of runners taking part in the 24th edition of the Great Ethiopian Run 10km road race on November 17, 2024 in Addis Ababa.
Photo credit: Pool
“I used to get excited watching the athletes, especially the training gear they wore. I wanted to be like them, and it inspired me to start running,” said Jelegat, who currently trains in Keringet, Nakuru County.
While joking with athletes, she would often declare that she too would compete one day. Many doubted her due to her weight at the time, but Jelegat remained determined.
Ethiopia's athletics legend Haile Gebresslasie (left) and the women's marathon record holder Ruth Chepng'etich (right), poses for a picture with the Great Ethiopian Run 10km winners Biniam Mehary (men) and Asayech Ayichew (women) on November 17, 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Photo credit: Pool
Born in Uasin Gishu County, Jelegat, the fifth of seven children, developed a love for athletics during her time at Chepkero Primary School, where she excelled in the 400m and 800m races. She continued competing during her high school years at Bishop Birech High and later Mulaha Secondary School in Siaya County.
However, after completing Form Four in 2013, her family's financial struggles forced her to put athletics career on hold.
“There were a lot of challenges at home, and it was hard to sustain our family. I had to find a job,” Jelegat said.
“My father was also sick, and we couldn't find a clear diagnosis. I needed to work to help with medical bills and support my siblings.”
Jelagat joined the National Youth Service (NYS) in 2015, but had to leave due to personal reasons. She later worked as a security guard in various institutions, including Lewa Farm. Eventually, she pursued a certificate in Financial Sales and Services at AIC Pioneer in Eldoret. However, finding employment proved challenging, prompting her to return to security work.
Ethiopia's athletics legend Haile Gebresslasie (right) and the women's marathon record holder Ruth Chepngetich (left), pose for a picture in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on November 17, 2024.
Photo credit: Pool
By 2021, Jelagat had saved enough to buy a few training tools. She resigned from her job and, after a brief pause, used her savings. Despite this setback, Jelegat returned to athletics, training independently until January 2022, when she joined a group in Kaptagat, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
“Training was tough, and I struggled initially. The pain was intense, so I stepped away again. But by March of that year, I decided to give it another shot,” she said.
Jelagat shed weight, participated in local races, and honed her skills ahead of her debut at the 2024 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, where she finished sixth in the 21km race, setting a personal best of 75:25.
“My debut at the Standard Chartered Marathon opened doors, including my invitation to the Great Ethiopian Run,” she explained. Jelegat finished among the top 100 athletes in the 10km event, clocking 35:18.42.
“Meeting legends like Haile Gebreselassie and women’s marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich was a huge inspiration. This feels like a turning point in my life. I want to run in big races and make history,” she stated. “Athletics allowed me to board my first flight, and I’ll keep training to improve my times,” Jelegat added.
She hopes to inspire her 11-year-old daughter, Shantel Jebet Lelei, to develop a passion for athletics as well.
Local athletes dominated the race with Asayech Ayichew taking first place, clocking 32:13.41. Yenewa Nibret followed in 32:16.93, while Bosena Mulate secured third in 32:27.41. Biniam Mehary defended his men’s title.
