Status: Winner of the 2005 New York City Marathon. Holds marathon world record clocking of 2:04.55 set in 2003.
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 140
DOB: June 17, 1969 In: Baringo, Kenya
Childhood Hero: "The major one was Kip Keino. We call him 'The Father of Running' in Kenya. He's the one who motivated me as a kid. Because I could see in school books that he do incredible in terms of winning a lot of medals and bright talking."
Hobbies/Interests: "Being an athlete, it's one of many things in my life. So I cannot say my life is only depending on running. I have other interests, in terms of other sports - especially golf, especially in high school I used to play volleyball. And those were some of the things I did before I even knew that I had a very huge talent in
athletics."
Favorite Movies: "Yeah, I watch movies too. I love movies. There are quite a number of them. I've been watching so many so I cannot really pinpoint. But most of all I like action movies."
Musical Tastes: "I like reggae music and blues."
First Job: "First job in my life was training in the military at the age of 19."
First Car: "Was a Toyota Corolla (white)."
Early Running Memory: "When I started in high school it was very difficult competing with people who had been training some time. And this was the time that I felt I was almost collapsing, having the feeling like there was some blood coming from my chest [smiles]. And that was very hard for me. And the soreness of the muscles the next day."
Favorite Meal: "Is the local food we call ugali in our country. It's corn meal."
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: "I'm not a fan of ice cream, so. I love fruits."
Pre-Race Feeling: "Just want to be contented, calm. And very focused for the competition. But during the race I'm very aggressive. I'm very focused and aggressive - especially when it comes to the last stages."
Greatest Sports Moment: "My greatest moment in my career is breaking the world record in the marathon (In Berlin, Germany in 2003). That was a great highlight to my running career."
Most Painful Moment: "The most painful moment is being qualified for the national team and not able to start there for the World Cross Country in Boston. That was very painful. I had an injury that was strained while I was in Boston practicing before the race."
Favorite Athletes To Watch: "The great athletes I like to watch in, being in the track or maybe road racing - Haile Gebreselassie - who has been my rival - and a friend [smiles] for many years. And I do love watching golf - Tiger Woods. (Any sprinters?) A guy that I never forget in running career is Michael Johnson United States. (Tennis?) Roger Federer is a great guy."
Funny Running Memory: "When I fell down during the National Cross Country Championship and could not able to get up again. But I was really hoping that I was going to be in the race. (Why did you fall?) A photojournalist tripped into me and I went down."
Embarrassing Running Memory: "When I came too late - I was invited for a race. But I didn't know because I was in France, so everything was French. So I came late and find that the race is already gone. Because I couldn't know the times. That was about 1994."
Favorite Vacation Spot: "I love to vacation in Africa, going to Zanzibar, Seychelles and Mauritius."
Childhood Dream: "When I was a kid I think I was going to be an engineer. But I never knew I was going to be an international athlete. It was never in my dream then."
People Qualities Most Admired: "People that are talented, in diverse fields. And people that are also willing to assist the less fortunate people in society. I've seen people with a lot of opportunities and a lot of resources and I think it's very important - if you have the opportunity in life - to give somebody an opportunity to achieve something, anything in life. I think that would be very important to me."
Family: Wife Monica; three children.
Career Accomplishments: Won Olympic 10,000 meters in 1996, 2000; Set world marathon record in 2003; Was named "Goodwill Ambassador" in the United Nations Food Programme, which provides food to developing nations and in disaster relief situations.
