Joyce Chepchumba

Photo Copyright: Sports Heroes KE

Angered by the Athenian attempt to overthrow Persian rule, the Persians invaded mainland Greece in 490BC in an attempt to claim Marathon – a city in Greece. With no telephones or any form of electronic media during that era, communication was solely reliant on messengers. An anxious group of Athenians waited to hear on the outcome of the battle that took place 25 miles away from their town. A soldier by the name Pheidippides eager to send the message to his countrymen took it upon himself to run the distance and deliver the good news – the Greek had defeated the Persians! The brave soldier had barely enough strength in him and immediately after relaying the message, he knelt, keeled over and died. This is a story of one of the world’s most memorable wars – The Battle of Marathon.

Inspired by what was then the longest run anyone had ever covered, founder of the International Olympic Committee Pierre de Coubertin introduced a long distance event named after Marathon. The first marathon was organized during the 1896 Olympic Games with the winning athlete finishing at a decent time of 2:58:50. The sport gained popularity with the Boston Marathon taking place for the first time a year later.

In time the International Amateur Athletic Federation adopted 26 miles as the official marathon distance which is still in use today.

At 5’3, Kericho born athlete Joyce Chepchumba weighs in at a petite 52 kilos – ideal for participation in endurance events. Being born in an area known for cool climate and hilly terrains was another factor that propelled her for success.

Joyce’s first major race was in 1995 when she participated in the Dutch Tilburg Ten Miles race, winning her first international medal. She also won the annual Pearl Run race of the same distance, finishing at a commendable time of 32:43 and paved the way for more Kenyan female athletes to win the event in years that followed.

Hungry to add more medals to her name, Joyce competed and emerged a victor at The London Marathon in 1997. The following year, she had a total of four medals after she excelled in the Chicago Marathon. By 1999, Joyce was on a roll, winning not one or two but three marathons, including the Great North Run after clocking second time wins in the Chicago and London marathons.

With seven medals secured, Joyce was still eager to show that she was indeed a title holder and set her eyes on the women’s Olympic Marathon that took place in Sydney. Joyce Chepchumba finished third and made history as Kenya’s first Olympic medallist in the Women’s Marathon. That same year, Joyce won another gold medal, her first in the Tokyo Women’s Marathon. In 2001, Joyce won the New York City marathon in the year that followed. In 2004, Joyce showed endurance skill yet again when she won the Lisbon Half Marathon and the Berlin Half Marathon. The unquestionable marathon queen – Joyce Chepchuma reigns supreme in this ancient race.

Now we wonder how fast she’d have delivered the news if she was in Pheidippides’ shoes. Your thoughts?

Hongera Joyce Chepchumba kwa kuinua bendera yetu!

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