Isaiah Kosgei: 48 year old athlete still in perfect marathon shape

In the lush green gardens of his home in Segero, Uasin Gishu County, one of the greatest runners of all time describes the dusty beginnings of what would be a glittering career.

It’s 5.30 am and nearly pitch-black outside. We make our way to Isaiah Kosgei’s homestead. He is about to join the rest of the training group at their meeting point for the week’s most strenuous test. Very few words are spoken but there is a palpable buzz in the air.

Even though the sun is yet to rise, a crowd of at least 50 is already waiting by the road, all budding local athletes, ready to train up the 2400m-hill high.

Later, over breakfast with Kosgei, he assembles an incredible plate of chapatis and beans with Mursik. From a close analysis, he has the shrink-wrapped physique of an anatomical sketch, a body engineered for peak cardiovascular performance. There isn’t a gram of extra material.

At the same time, crevices on his cheeks make him appear older, lending him an air of hard-earned wisdom. It is not deceptive advertising. When he speaks, the words come slowly and carefully. It is impossible to guess that he is the age of 48.

Childhood Roots

Kosgei was born in 1974 in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. His first dot in athletics appeared back in primary school when he represented his class and school in the 5,000 meters category during inter-class and inter-school competitions.

Competitive Running

Getting a job was difficult for Kosgei, who had only completed primary school at the time. Since he used to run in elementary school, one of his friends challenged him to start commercial running.

“After primary school, I didn’t proceed to high school. I worked at a small electrical shop and one of my friends approached me and asked me to try commercial running since I used to run in primary school.”

He wasn't sure whether to abandon his side hustle at the time, but he trusted his friend despite criticism from family and other friends.

“I asked my friend whether we could be paid for running because in Trans Nzoia nobody knew about running. He urged me to try and eventually I agreed. My parents kept asking how I could leave my small hustle and start running.”

Following that decision, the two relocated to Iten, which would drastically change Kosgei's life.

“We had to move from Trans Nzoia to Iten with my friend where most people train. We came to Eldoret for half marathons, discoveries, and championships. And one of my friends introduced me to a friend in France.”

Major Breakthrough

Kosgei was invited to run the Luxembourg Marathon in France in February 1999. He would go on to have an unrivaled marathon career, winning the Tiberias Marathon in Israel, the Reims Marathon in France, the Loch Ness Marathon in Scotland, the Karlsruhe Baden Marathon (fourth place), and the Barcelona Marathon (fifth place). Along the way, he set a personal best of 2.21.

Sitting for KCSE at 42

Kosgei had lofty ambitions. He wanted to be a physiotherapist, but it was difficult with only a primary school education. 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 UK three months every year to study physiotherapy.

Acts of charity

Philanthropic by nature, he has helped many school-aged children to a better life by paying school fees for 20 children and constructing classrooms and laboratories.

Last year, he ran 60 kilometers from Iten to Eldoret in 3 hours and 38 minutes to raise funds for the twin laboratory at St Paul's Makongi, which is now nearing completion.

No athlete of Kosgei’s caliber can avoid the dark clouds of doping. Dozens of Kenyan athletes have tested positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs in recent years. Kosgei, though, has a spotless record, and he is confident that he has never cheated.

“Many athletes want to be on the top in the wrong ways. I always advise athletes to maintain their professionalism. Keep yourself healthy. Run clean and win easy.”

To Kosgei, age is just a number. He hopes to participate in more charity races, and rally friends to support education initiatives in Segero, Uasin Gishu