Hero’s welcome for Cheruiyot: Hundreds attend homecoming party in Bomet

Timothy Cheruiyot's parents Winny and Joel Boit gives their sun traditional mursik during the homecoming ceremony in Singorwet, in Bomet County.

He had an outstanding performance in IAAF World Championship and Diamond League.

Activities came to a standstill in Singrowet Village, Bomet Central - Bomet County yesterday when Timothy Cheruiyot returned home to a grand homecoming party following his outstanding 2017 track and field performance.

Cheruiyot won silver medal in men’s 1,500 behind his compatriot and training partner Elijah Manangoi at the IAAF World Championship in August before triumphing at the 2017 IAAF Diamond League final in Zurich.

The mother all parties was attended by hundreds of the villagers, celebrated athletics led by three-time World champion Asbel Kiprop, World 800m bronze medalist Kipyegon Bett, Clement Lagat who hails from the same village, Manangoi brothers, Elijah and George and Winny Chebet among others.

Cheruiyot’s manager Malcolm Anderson of United Kingdom, Bomet County Women representative Joyce Korir, Athletics Kenya (AK) Executive Member John Kimetto who is the Bomet County AK Chairman and Kenya Prisons Service Head coach Gideon Chirchir, a former steeplechase runner himself also attended the ceremony.

Apart from Clement Lagat, the region also boasts of former runners like William Sigei and William Chirchir. Both attended the party at the weekend.

Cheruiyot who took interest in running while still a Form Three student at Singorwet High School, but later lost hope  after series of disappointing results , started farming and casual labour in construction site within his Bomet town.

But in 2014, he again gained interested in track when he moved to Nairobi and was introduced to Bernard Ouma, the founder of Rongai Athletics Club. He stepped up his training and posted a time of  3:36:3 at AK weekend meeting in Nakuru that landed him an agent.

His impressive Nakuru show forced AK panel of selectors to consider him for the IAAF World Relays in Bahamas in 2014 despite not making it at the trials held at Kasarani Stadium.

Interestingly, the Bahamas trip was his maiden flight which he termed as a “a life-changing moment”. Indeed, it was a life changing trip.

Good things were to follow the first born in a family of six - making his IAAF Diamond League debut and IAAF World Championship in Beijing in 2015 was another great platform for him to make a name.

“I hope to stay in good health next season. Commonwealth is coming up in April next year. I hope to perform well,” said Cheruiyot.

Cheruiyot added: “It’s a blessing to train with Elijah, he has been instrumental in my improved performance, and we hope to continue with good relationship in years to come.”

Last Friday, World champions Faith Chepngetich (1,500) and Geoffrey Kirui (marathon) were hosted by Nakuru County to a homecoming ceremony at their Kurisoi home.