Gold medalist Vivian Cheruiyot climbed hills nine months after giving birth

As the nation celebrates the team that won Africa’s maiden victory at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, the athletes’ family members who played a vital role to the historic feat cannot go unmentioned. Vivian Cheruiyot, who reclaimed her 10,000m title from perennial rivals Ethiopia, credits her good show in Beijing to the love and support from her husband Moses Kiplagat.

“Running involves a lot of psychological stability. And there is nowhere you can be stable than being in good terms with your family and your coach,” says Vivian. Despite the hell that’s training, Vivian says “I am duty bound to prepare dinner for my husband. That’s a requirement in our Keiyo culture. That’s what makes me happy.”

Kiplagat, whose also her coach, was instrumental in ensuring that Vivian return to top form after she gave birth to her son Allan Kiprono.  “I normally share this with my friends who married athletes to ensure their running spouses are psychologically stable if they expect to reap from athletics.”

But just how did Vivian nicknamed ‘Pocket Rocket’ manage to win after the rigors of childbirth? “She rested for nine months and then we embarked on serious training,” explains Kiplagat.