Viola Cheptoo Lagat, the 2016 Olympic 1500m semifinalist and younger sister of double world champion Bernard Lagat, is among Kenya’s seasoned contenders vying for glory at today’s Boston Marathon. The 36-year-old, who claimed silver at the 2021 New York City Marathon, returns to Boston’s punishing hills after a 12th-place finish here last year, aiming to leverage her tactical prowess in a competitive women’s field.
Cheptoo Lagat’s transition from middle-distance phenom to marathon stalwart mirrors her family’s storied legacy. Her brother Bernard, a 2007 1500m/5000m world champion and Olympic medalist, remains a guiding force as she navigates the 26.2-mile challenge.
“Boston rewards patience,” she told reporters pre-race. “It’s not just legs—it’s strategy.”
Moreover, the Kenyan faces fierce competition, including defending champion Hellen Obiri and 2024 Chicago Marathon third-place finisher Irene Cheptai.
Meanwhile, analysts group Cheptoo Lagat with veterans Edna Kiplagat, 45, and Mary Ngugi-Cooper as dark horses likely to capitalise if early leaders falter on Heartbreak Hill. Her 2:22-range personal best, while slower than top contenders, reflects consistency on tough courses—a critical asset in Boston’s unpredictable conditions.
Viola Cheptoo on Gender Based Violence
However, beyond athletics, Cheptoo Lagat co-founded Tirop Angels, an organisation that combats gender-based violence in Kenya’s running communities. The initiative honours late teammate Agnes Tirop, a world record holder, murdered in 2021, cementing Cheptoo Lagat’s dual role as athlete and advocate.
Why This Race Matters to Viola Cheptoo
Today’s marathon serves as a litmus test for Cheptoo Lagat’s late-career resurgence. A podium finish would crown her decade-long evolution from track specialist (4:06.83 1500m PB) to road warrior. With rain forecast and temperatures near 50°F, in London, her experience could prove decisive against faster but less-seasoned rivals.
As the elite women’s pack approaches Cleveland Circle, all eyes will track whether Cheptoo Lagat’s calculated approach can outmanoeuvre Obiri’s closing speed and Kiplagat’s ageless endurance. For the Kenyan contingent, today isn’t just about victory—it’s a tribute to the legacy of Tirop and the fight for safer spaces in women’s sports.