50-year-old legendary runner Isaiah Kosgei’s charity goal at Berlin Marathon

Legendary marathoner Isaiah Kosgei is gearing up to make history as he prepares to run in the 50th edition of the Berlin Marathon slated for Sunday 29 September in Germany.

Kosgei, who turns 50 on the same day, is driven by two powerful ambitions: breaking the world record in the M50 category and raising funds for underprivileged children in Kenya through his Kosgei Walpole Foundation.

He aims to clock an impressive time of 2 hours and 16 minutes, surpassing the current M50 world record of 2:19:29 held by South Africa’s Titus Mamabolo.

The M50 category consists of male athletes aged 50 to 55, and Kosgei’s performance would cement his legacy as one of the sport's greats while expanding his philanthropic reach.

"My goal is to give children from humble backgrounds an opportunity for a brighter future through education," the legendary runner said.

His foundation, the Kosgei Walpole Foundation which currently supports 34 children through scholarships, aims to increase that number to 50 with funds raised from his Berlin Marathon run.

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The foundation focuses on providing educational opportunities for children in rural areas of Kenya and helping to lift them out of poverty.

Kosgei’s passion for helping others is as strong as his dedication to running.

In 2022, he ran 60 kilometres from Iten to Eldoret in 3 hours and 38 minutes to raise funds for a twin laboratory at St Paul’s Makongi School, which has now been completed.

His commitment to education has already impacted many lives, with the foundation paying school fees for children and supporting the construction of classrooms and laboratories.

What further fuels his desire to sponsor more children is his challenging background.

He wanted to be a physiotherapist, but that proved difficult with only primary school education.

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That was the catalyst for his decision to go back to secondary school at the age of 37 in 2011, making him the school's oldest student. He sat for his KCSE in 2016 at 42 years.

He then studied reflexology in Eldoret before opening Iten Fitness and Sports Massage Therapy, where he works with professional and elite athletes. He travels to the United Kingdom three months every year to study physiotherapy.

Journey to marathon

His journey to marathon greatness began when he was invited to participate in the Luxembourg Marathon in February 1999.

From there, he carved out an impressive career, winning the Tiberias Marathon in Israel, the Reims Marathon in France, and the Loch Ness Marathon in Scotland. He also placed fourth in the Karlsruhe Baden Marathon and fifth in the Barcelona Marathon, setting a personal best time of 2:21.

Despite his age, Kosgei remains confident that he can break the world record in Berlin.

"I'm confident I will run a good race. When I cross the line, I will have made a difference to the lives of 50 plus children who need education," he concluded.