Dennis Kimetto Interview

Published by Athletics Illustrated on February 23, 2015

Dennis Kimetto is the world record holder in the marathon with his 2014 Berlin performance of 2:02:57. Formerly a corn and cattle farmer he was motivated to train seriously on a chance encounter with current training partner Geoffrey Mutai. Since then, Kimetto has become the first person to run under the 2:03:00 benchmark. He is also one of only three men to twice run under the 2:04:00 barrier, along with countrymen Wilson Kipsang and Emmanuel Mutai.

Leading up to his world record, Kimetto won the 2013 Chicago Marathon in the time of 2:03:45. That same year he won the Tokyo Marathon in the time of 2:06:50. During the 2012 Berlin Marathon, Kimetto finished second in the time of 2:04:16. He also holds the world record for the 25-kilometre distance, which he achieved during the 2012 Big Berlin 25K in the time of 1:11:18.

Kimetto keeps good company where he lives and trains near Eldoret in the administrative area called Kapng’etuny along with the second and fifth fastest marathon runners, all-time in Geoffrey Mutai and Wilson Kipsang. Although Mutai’s time was accomplished on the Boston Marathon course, which cannot be ratified for records, he has run as fast as 2:03:02. Kipsang briefly held the world record from his 2013 Berlin performance of 2:03:23.

Christopher Kelsall: Did you get to run or walk to school and back every day, as we hear that so many Kenyan’s kids do, growing up? What was the distance for you to school each day?

Dennis Kimetto: Yes, I had to run to school when I was late. It was around three to four kilometres from my home. Also, in lunchtime I had to go back home to eat lunch and then back to school.

CK: You ran several fast half marathons in 2011 and 2012 before moving onto the marathon, which event did do you feel provided an indication of how fast you could be in the marathon?