New York Marathon winner Prisca Jeptoo return lights up Eldoret

By JONATHAN KOMEN

 

Newly crowned ING New York Marathon winner Prisca Jeptoo (pictured) landed at Eldoret International Airport yesterday morning to a reception replete with ululations and pageantry.

At hand to receive her following her exploits in the Big Apple were her husband Douglas Chepsiror, her son Austine Kipchumba, mum Beatrice Samoei and elder brother Sylvester Kitur

Two-time world marathon winner Abel Kirui, Chicago marathon queen Rita Jeptoo former world 800m champion Janet Jepkosgei and her Italian Coach Claudio Berardille were among a host of elite athletes present at the airport.

The crowd broke into wild cheers when Jeptoo and her husband arrived at the airport’s arrivals lounge as her   mother Beatrice served her with mursik (sour milk) and then hugged her.

great boost

Jeptoo, who started her athletics career while a pupil at Chepnoet Primary School in Nandi County, said the win and World Marathon Majors jackpot were a great boost but she still has unfinished business over the 42km distance.

“I have done enough in big city marathons and I now long to win an Olympic gold. If AK names me for the Commonwealth Games, I will honour the call,” Jeptoo said at Eldoret International Airport.

Not bad for a girl who made fruitless attempts to make the national team while still schooling.

She started off as a 400m and 800m runner but missed out on the world junior team that competed in Kingston, Jamaica in 2012, only for her rival Janet Jepkosgei to make the team.

“I trained well for the race, knowing it’s a hilly course. But I had also prepared for flat courses,” she said.

 Jeptoo was determined to excel in athletics, which saw her transfer from Itigo Girls in Nandi County to Kamagut Secondary School in Uasin Gishu County in the search for athletics glory.