Meet the 77 year old Marathoner, Elizabeth Cheboywo

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Submitted by IQ4News on Tue, 22/11/2011 - 7:52am

Elizabeth caught the attention of people at the 2011 Kass Marathon held in Eldoret. IQ4NEWS talked to her at the sidelines.

While the organizers say she was number 26, Elizabeth cheboywo believes she trounced all her competitors in the 12 Kilometer corporate fun race at the Eldoret Marathon held on Sunday. But what caught the attention of everyone at the Eldoret town hall where the award ceremony was held was her determination. At 77, she paces like a teenager and was not panting as many of the athletes. Former President Mwai Kibaki’s Communications adviser and Presidential candidate Raphael Tuju was so enchanted by the octogenarian that he said “She is my heroe”.

“I am very happy and I thank God for giving me the strength to take on young people in the marathon.” Cheboywo told IQ4NEWS at the sidelines of the ceremony. She says age will not deter her from contending for Gold medals in International Marathon races.

“I know one day I will take part in Boston Marathon or the Olympics and bring my country the medal. I have a passion for athletics” She adds.

She says she has been taking part in many marathon races in Kenya and that has enabled her to not only have fun but also bring food on her table. Her children, she says are not much into athletics, but sometimes get challenged when they see her on track.

“They feel ashamed seeing me beating young people like them. At first they thought mine was a joke taken too far, but now they know I was serious” She said.

Hard work and Determination

When not running, she tends her plants and look after her herds of cattle at Kiplombe home in the outskirts of Eldoret. She urges fellow old people to engage in sporting activities to show young people the way.

“Young people are lost. It is the old gourds who can instill in them a sense of hard work and determination by doing the things we tell them. Most of them do not believe us because they think ours are just stunts to deny them their freedom” She argues.

Reconition Award

She benefited from a recognition award from the sponsors as well as cash from well-wishers who were inspired by her gusto.