Peerless Vivian seeks more glory in New York today

(L-R) Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot, Mary Keitany and Gladys Cherono pose during a photocall for the London Women's Marathon elite athletes outside Tower Bridge, in central London on April 18, 2018, ahead of the upcoming London marathon. / AFP PHOTO

Such is the rich talent possessed by Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot that 21 years ago, the then teenager was denied a chance to compete for her country at the 1997 IAAF World Cross Country Championships for, get this, being under age.

The following year, she had to repeat Standard 5 at Chemwabul Primary School in Keiyo but that did little to stop her from breaking into the Kenyan team for the 1998 World Cross in Marrakesh, Morocco where she finished fifth in the 6km junior race.