Caroline Rotich’s athletic script reads like that of most Kenyan world-beating runners — that of overcoming numerous obstacles to conquer the world.
But the new Boston City Marathon champion’s story is not another cliche, and offers a lot of renewed hope to fresh, upcoming athletes.
Born in Laikipa County, Rotich burned with insatiable hunger to excel in athletics.
And she would watch Kenya’s globe-trotting stars return home victorious, which encouraged her to train hard and run faster to earn money from athletics, just like he had seen many other great Kenyans do.
But the quest for education, and perhaps to cut a niche for herself, saw her approach Nyahururu-based athletics coach Robert Kioni for help.
Kioni spotted her talent, the hard work and determination and helped her get a sports scholarship. She joined Form One at Sendai Ikueni High School — an institution known for long-distance running in which 2008 Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru attended — in Tokyo, Japan.
“After schooling, she could not get a job in Japan and she returned home where she continued training. By and by, I introduced her to Briton Peter Peir, who then organised her races until she decided to pitch tent in Japan,” said Kioni.
Elsewhere, Olympic champion and 800m world record-holder David Rudisha has confirmed he will be at the 40th edition of Athletissima in Lausanne on July 9, the ninth IAAF Diamond League meeting of 2015.
After victories in 2007, 2010 and 2011, it will be Rudisha’s fourth appearance in Lausanne. He will face opposition from world champion Mohammed Aman, as well as French record-holder Pierre-Ambroise Bosse.