Another decorated Kenyan marathoner suspended for doping violation
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 24.02.25. | 17:18
The AIU’s investigation will determine the final outcome, but this development could bring his hard-fought journey to an abrupt halt
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Kenyan marathoner Brimin Misoi Kipkorir for the presence and use of prohibited substances—EPO and Furosemide—violating World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations.
The 35-year-old was tested on Friday 22 November 2024, when he provided samples to the integrity body.
The AIU’s announcement has cast a shadow over the decorated athlete’s career, which saw him rise from local competitions to international marathon stardom.
Misoi, a two-time Frankfurt Marathon champion, took years to establish himself in the global marathon scene.
Before his 2022 breakthrough in Frankfurt, he struggled to secure top honors in local races.
His journey began in the early 2000s when his talent was discovered by Julius Maiyo, his primary school coach in Kapkitony.
By 2009, at age 20, Misoi was determined to become a world-class athlete but had not yet secured a sports manager.
In 2010, he intensified his training in Chirchir, Uasin Gishu County.
Without management, he trained alongside top athletes such as 2021 New York City Marathon champion Albert Korir, former Mumbai Marathon winner Gideon Kipketer, and Mathew Kiprop.
His training regimen took him to Kaptagat, Chirchir, and his home base in Kapkitony, a high-altitude region at 2,500 meters.
However, injuries hampered his progress, and he struggled to break into the top 10 in local races.
At times, it was not injuries but fierce competition from more experienced Kenyan runners that denied him podium finishes.
He admired runners like David Barmasai, the 2009 Dubai Marathon champion from his hometown, but found it challenging to match their level.
His struggles were evident in races like the Kass Marathon in Eldoret, where he finished 50th in his early years.
In 2016, he managed 11th place, followed by a 15th-place finish at the Kilimanjaro Marathon.
Frustrated, he nearly quit the sport but pushed on, driven by the need to support his family.
Determined to prove himself, Misoi entered the 2017 Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon and emerged victorious.
The win renewed his confidence and marked the beginning of his marathon success.
In 2019, he defended his Nairobi title, improving his time from 2:12:39 in 2017 to 2:10:43.
Earlier that year, he competed in the Vienna Marathon, finishing sixth in 2:09:31.
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After disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, he made a triumphant return by winning the inaugural Uhuru Classic Marathon in May 2022.
Overcoming a fall at the start, he surged past a competitive field to claim victory in 2:08:30.
Despite his growing success, he faced setbacks, including dropping out at the 40km mark of the 2021 Eldoret City Marathon due to injury.
Now, with his provisional suspension for doping, Misoi’s career hangs in the balance.
The AIU’s investigation will determine the final outcome, but this development could bring his hard-fought journey to an abrupt halt.
