As I waded through the sea of fans at the fabled “Nyayo” six years ago, I spotted her walking on towards me. With robust springs under her revered feet. How I wish she had also spotted me and was coming to meet me. If only “wishes were horses…….”.
I summoned all confidence and offered a big and firm handshake. Introducing myself as “Kiplangat” to help crush the ice. So strong and eager was my handshake that it appeared to lift her off her feet. She could well have been a little over 40Kg’s with her full running gear on. She was pleasantly surprised at how much I knew her. And how long I had followed and morally supported her in her amazing career. She is an incredibly pleasant and warm “soul”. I am talking about none other than the Hero and the Legend Edna Kiplagat.
But guys do not be deceived by her light weight. She is no lightweight. Beyond the “veil” is a distance-running “monster”.
The legend, now at a “prime” 44 years of age, returned to the Districts of Boston on Monday and posted an incredible 2:23.21 in coming home third. At her age, an “ordinary mortal” would be aiming for a master’s record. Not Edna. She’s still mixing it with girls half her age and putting them away. Like a treasured wine, Edna gets finer with age with absolutely no signs of slowing down. Let alone hang up her treasured running shoes.
She literally hit the road running soon after her birth 44 years ago. Her journey to the stars had thus begun. Edna Kiplagat was born to run. And run unbelievably long distances. Her cumulative miles since she came into the big marathon scene could well stretch to the moon. And back. She first won Boston in her debut in 2017 and repeated in 2021. She returned to Boston yesterday for the seventh time. She first burst into the big city marathon scene when she won New York in her debut 14 years ago. Since then it has been a fairy tale journey across the universe.
She has held aloft two World Marathon Majors trophies Series V (2010-2011) and series VIII (2013-2014) as well as two World Championship Marathon titles. Her personal best remains at 2:19.50 from her runners-up place in London in 2012. To the ordinary mortal, 14 years would seem like an eternity. But for the iconic Edna Kiplagat, it was only yesterday.
As Edna lined up for the start in Hopkinton this week, she was looking around for her peers and could not pick out any, for they are long retired and were watching in disbelief as Edna journeyed through the Districts of Boston. Her legs may have seemed “old” to the young women she was lining up against. But then again ”’old is gold” as the old adage eternally rings true.
Edna could well have been climbing up Newton Hills as these girls were just climbing out of their cots. Edna is famously a late bloomer in her races. Dramatically recovering and leaving her opponents stranded on the streets.
The world will remain in eternal reverence of this distance-running legend.
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