DREAM COME TRUE FOR KOTUT: Hard work thrust Cyprian to pinnacle of road running

Caption Cyprian Kotut of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the 40th Paris Marathon men's race, in Paris, Sunday April 3, 2016. Cyprian Kotut won the Paris marathon on Sunday as Kenyan runners pulled off a podium sweep in perfect weather conditions.

BUT DID YOU KNOW KOTUT?

• Is 24 years old and younger brother of marathon maestro Martin Lel, but coached by Italian coach Claudio Berardille.

• Scored C+ at Cheptil High School in Nandi County and opted to take up athletics, make money and later back to studies.

• Wants to be like Felix Limo, the two-time London Marathon winner (2006 and 2007), who retired from athletics in 2013 at 32 years and is now a student at University of Eldoret pursuing degree in Animal Health.

• Trains with Dickson Chumba, the 2014 Tokyo Marathon winner

• Always trains along Namkoi-Moi University Road.

• Draws inspiration from his surname Kimurgor, which means ‘to set it horizontally’ to excel in road running.

• Apart from Martin Lel, his other sibling Fredrick Keter, a sub 2:09 marathoner, and a sister are athletes. He has passed through athletics chain all through.

• Started to compete internationally in 2012 in Portugal in a 5km race and Claudio gave him the chance to compete in 5km, 10km and half marathons in Portugal.

• Has been making steady progress since 2012 and in 2013, he worked as a pace setter for his brother Martin in a half marathon in Lisbon and ran sub 62.

• Coach Claudio then sent him to USA where he ran his first sub 59 minutes while pacing for Stanley Biwott.

• From there, he went for races not as a pacesetter and but to compete fully and now has a 59.12 personal best in half marathon.

He strives to match or even beat Martin Lel’s marathon shows.
Martin is a big influence to him as he motivates him in training and competing, especially when he sees his brother

He believes that discipline and commitment would make him succeed.