During Sunday’s Iten International Marathon in Elgeyo Marakwet County, one woman caught the attention of many after she was caught on camera by Nation Sport photographer Jared Nyataya running alongside the eventual men’s winner Luka Kiprop. In sync!
As athletes braced the fog and chilly weather, Pastor Elizabeth Jepchirchir Kiprono of the Christian Church Family Kapteren in Elgeyo Marakwet County, waited eagerly for the leading pack along the road.
A sequence of photographs showing her enthusiastically cheering on Kiprop caught the eye of athletics fans, with many seeking to know who she was.
Luka Kiprop is cheered on by Pastor Elizabeth Jepchirchir Kiprono at Kapteren on his way to Iten town and to victory during the second edition of Iten International Marathon in Elgeyo Marakwet County on November 12, 2023. Kiprop clocked two hours 13 minutes and 19 seconds to grab victory, with Jepchirchir saying she simply wanted to motivate the runners to victory
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
“I am Daniel Ruto from Kapenguria, a Daily Nation reader. Following a picture that caught my attention which was published at the back page of Daily Nation on Monday 13th November showing the athlete Luka Kiprop being cheered by a serious lady at Kapteren-Iten road, I am very humbled to request Mr Luka to look for this lady and at least give her a token of appreciation because her cheering seem to come from the bottom of her heart,” a Nation Sport reader wrote to our sports desk.
“Please, I request you as Daily Nation to bring this idea to (the) limelight.”
Luka Kiprop is cheered on by Pastor Elizabeth Jepchirchir Kiprono at Kapteren on his way to Iten town and to victory during the second edition of Iten International Marathon in Elgeyo Marakwet County on November 12, 2023. Kiprop clocked two hours 13 minutes and 19 seconds to grab victory, with Jepchirchir saying she simply wanted to motivate the runners to victory
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
As we settled down for the interview, she wasn’t aware that she had been captured by our photographer and her pictures were trending on social media.
“I even didn’t know who won the race because I don’t have a television set… I was just encouraging them to do their best because that is the talent God has blessed them with,” she reacted.
Luka Kiprop is cheered on by Pastor Elizabeth Jepchirchir Kiprono at Kapteren on his way to Iten town and to victory during the second edition of Iten International Marathon in Elgeyo Marakwet County on November 12, 2023. Kiprop clocked two hours 13 minutes and 19 seconds to grab victory, with Jepchirchir saying she simply wanted to motivate the runners to victory
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Well, Jepchirchir was an athlete in her youth and featured in the sprints up to national level.
She said that when she heard that the route had been earmarked for the race, she initially wanted to cheer the women’s marathoners.
“My target was to encourage the women athletes but when I got to the road, they had already passed and I waited for the men and when I saw the leader ahead of the others, I was overwhelmed and that is why I followed him.
“I don’t even know him, but I was just cheering him on and made him aware that we were supporting him as fans to go for glory. I told him not to lose hope but go for the prize,” said Jepchirchir who married to Pastor Wilson Kipkosgei Kapkiyai.
Pastor Elizabeth Jepchirchir Kiprono of the Christian Church Family Mount Olives in Kapsisi Sub-location, Mutei Location in Elgeyo Marakwet County, whose photographs were published in the Daily Nation last Monday as she cheered on race winner Luka Kiprop to victory between Kapteren and Iten during the Iten International Marathon, shares the images with children at her home on Tuesday. She became an instant hit in the village for her passion for running.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Jepchirchir used to run while in Kapsisi Primary School in the neighborhood and after failing to realise her dreams, she decided to continue encouraging and praying for the youth, including her children, who are athletes.
She would sometimes accompany women during their morning training and would always encourage them to work hard and gave them her blessings.
“It’s always my joy seeing the athletes training along the road every day though I can’t watch them competing, I will only hear that so and so won the race because I don’t have television set to follow up on them and that is my joy,” Jepchirchir added.
Pastor Elizabeth Jepchirchir Kiprono of the Christian Church Family Mount Olives in Kapsisi Sub-location, Mutei Location in Elgeyo Marakwet County, whose photographs were published in the Daily Nation last Monday as she cheered on race winner Luka Kiprop to victory between Kapteren and Iten during the Iten International Marathon, speaks during the interview at her home on Tuesday. She became an instant hit in the village for her passion for running.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Her second born son is Mathew Kipruto is a long distance athlete and has been training in Iten individually, though he lacks basic training facilities and support.
Alfred Kigen, her first born, used to compete while in school in the 10,000m up to the national level but he couldn’t pursue the athletics career due to lack of support.
The mother of nine children said that her joy is to see her children take the mantle from where she left, but lack of support and training facilities has been a challenge for them.
Race winner Kiprop, who has been residing with his coach Erick Kogo, told Nation Sport he just saw someone cheering him and running alongside him but couldn’t hear what she was saying.
“You know at the 35km mark, the body starts to take toll on you and it was at this point that I saw a woman, whom I presume was encouraging me to push harder and not to allow anyone to go past me.
“I don’t know her but I think it’s someone who loves athletics,” said Kiprop, nicknamed “wasiwasi” by his peers.
Kiprop started his running career in 2019 and joined a camp in Iten which was later closed before he met Kogo who gave him support up to date.
On Sunday, he borrowed his training mate — World 10,000m silver medalist Daniel Simiu —running shoes and went on to win his first ever marathon.
He promised that one day, he will visit Jepchirchir and reward her for cheering him on.
