From the Olympics track to the Diamond Leagues, 2024 was a year of unforgettable victories. Kenyan athletes blazed their way to gold, inspiring millions with their speed, determination, and extraordinary performances.
Over the years, Kenyan athletes have flown the country’s flag high in several international athletics competitions, and 2024 has been no different.
The athletes have dominated the marathon scene this year, especially at the Paris Olympics, winning major races and setting new personal bests.
In this article, we look at the four most popular Kenyan marathon athletes who won gold in 2024, their accomplishments and what makes them special.
Also Read: 7 Kenyan Athletes Who Died in Road Accidents
Kenyan Athletes Who Won Gold
Faith Kipyegon
Faith Kipyegon, the three-time Olympic 1500m champion, made history by winning the 1500 meters final, becoming the first athlete ever to secure three consecutive Olympic gold medals in this event.
Kipyegon set a new Olympic record with a time of 3:51.29, outpacing competitors including Australia’s Jessica Hull and the UK’s Georgia Bell, who took silver and bronze, respectively.
She later asserted her dominance once again in the Diamond League event in Rome on Friday, August 30.
Making her first appearance since clinching her third consecutive Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024, Kipyegon raced to victory with an impressive time of 3:52.89.
The 30-year-old athlete took to the track in only her second Diamond League meeting of the year, following her record-breaking run at the Paris meeting, where she set a global mark of 3:49.04 ahead of the Olympics.
Beatrice Chebet
Beatrice Chebet won the first gold medal for Kenya in the Paris Olympics on August 5 in the 5000m race at the Stade de France.
She finished with a winning time of 14:28.56, edging out her compatriot, Faith Kipyegon.
Chebet once again raced to victory in the women’s 10,000m at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Friday, August 9, claiming her second gold of the Games.
Chebet finished ahead of Italy’s Nadia Battocletti and Dutch star Sifan Hassan, who won silver and bronze, respectively.
The world record holder crossed the finish line with a time of 30:43.25 to claim her place on the podium, securing the Olympic title in front of a roaring crowd at the Stade de France.
Beatrice Chebet once again raced to victory in the women’s 10,000m at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Friday, August 9, claiming her second gold of the Games.
Also Read: Faith Kipyegon: What Kenya Needs to Do to Keep Producing Athletes Like Her
Emmanuel Wanyonyi
Emmanuel Wanyonyi became a gold medalist in the Paris 2024 men’s 800m at the Stade de France on Saturday, August 10.
He finished in 1:41.19, the third-fastest time ever, just 0.2 seconds shy of Kenyan legend David Rudisha’s world record of 1:40.91 set at the London 2012 Olympics.
Ruth Chepng’etich
Three-time Chicago Marathon champion Ruth Chepng’etich was the only Kenyan athlete among the finalists for the 2024 Athlete of the Year awards.
The self-coached athlete became the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier in the Chicago Marathon on October 13, 2024.
Her record-breaking run shaved almost two minutes from Tigist Assefa’s previous world record of 2:11:53, set last year in Berlin.
