Kenyan marathon legends Edna Kiplagat and Emmanuel Mutai stand among an exclusive group of six athletes globally to achieve the rare eight-star status by completing all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, Olympic Games, and World Championships races. While neither claimed victory in every event, their consistent podium-topping performances and resilience cemented their legacies as pioneers of endurance.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors—comprising Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City races—demand peak athleticism, with Kiplagat and Mutai mastering these alongside Olympic and global championship stages. Edna Kiplagat, a two-time World Champion (2011, 2013), famously broke barriers by outpacing male competitors in mixed-start formats during her 2010 Los Angeles Marathon victory. Moreover, Mutai’s 2011 London Marathon win highlighted his tactical brilliance.
Joining Paula Radcliffe, Aly Dixon, Deena Kastor, and Nuta Olaru in this elite tier, the Kenyans exemplify longevity in a sport dominated by fleeting peaks. Edna Kiplagat credits her husband-coach Gilbert Koech for her late-career surge, while Mutai’s sub-2:05 finishes across majors underscore his technical mastery.
For Kenya, a nation synonymous with distance running, its eight-star status transcends individual accolades, symbolising the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines the country’s athletic ethos. As the Abbott series evolves, their achievements remain a blueprint for aspiring champions.
Edna Kiplagat NYC Marathon 2024
The Kenyan marathon legend completed the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon in 2:29:56, securing 12th place in a competitive women’s field. At 44, Edna Kiplagat demonstrated enduring consistency, adding another finish to her historic resume after previously winning the race in 2010. Sheila Chepkirui claimed victory in 2:24:35, while Hellen Obiri—the 2023 champion—took second. Edna Kiplagat’s performance marked her fourth NYC Marathon finish since her 2010 win, having placed 4th in 2022 and 7th in 2023.
Emmanuel Mutai: Marathon Titan
Kenya’s Emmanuel Mutai, born in Cheptigit, rose to fame with a 2:06:29 Amsterdam win in 2007. His 2011 London Marathon victory of 2:04:40 set a course record, while his 2014 Berlin finish of 2:03:13 ranked third-fastest ever. A 2009 World silver medalist and 2012 Olympian, Mutai claimed podiums in Chicago in 2013, Berlin in 2014, and NYC 2010–11.
His sub-2:12 longevity, including a 2018 Hamburg finish, cements his legacy among history’s elite non-carbon shoe runners.
