Vivian Cheruiyot, the four-time world champion and former Olympic gold medalist, is determined to achieve one final milestone in her marathon career. At 41, she remains a force in long-distance running and believes she still has the strength and endurance to reach greater heights in her marathon journey.
Cheruiyot’s primary goal is to win the New York City Marathon, a race where she has had two podium finishes but never clinched the top spot. She has finished second in the 2018 edition and third in the 2024 edition, and she is confident that victory is within her reach.
In addition to her New York City Marathon performances, Cheruiyot also competed in the 2024 Paris Marathon, where she secured third place. To build up for New York, she raced in the Great North Run, finishing sixth. Despite not having secured a victory in these events, Cheruiyot is pleased with her achievements, especially finishing on the podium in two marathons in a single year.
While acknowledging that age is catching up with her, Cheruiyot is undeterred by it. She remains upbeat about her future in the sport, expressing gratitude for her continued success. “What I can say, from the bottom of my heart, is that I’m so happy, I’m so grateful to be among the top finishers of the New York City Marathon,” she shared in an interview. “It’s so fantastic and so amazing. I want to say that being top three in both races this year is great, and I’m seeing my future is bright. I know one day, I will win New York before I retire.”
Cheruiyot’s resilience and positive outlook are fueled by her pride in representing Kenya, a nation known for producing world-class distance runners. She feels honored to carry the Kenyan flag and remains motivated to continue competing at the highest level. “I’m proud to be Kenyan, and I’m generally happy to be a Kenyan athlete,” she said.
In 2020, Cheruiyot took a brief break from competition after failing to finish the London Marathon. She also missed the 2021 and 2022 seasons but made a successful return to the sport in 2023. Her comeback year saw her finish fifth at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon and sixth in the 10km race at the NN Zevenheuvelenloop, rounding out her season with solid performances.
The 2024 season marked a significant turning point for Cheruiyot, as she managed to finish third in both of her marathon races. She is optimistic about her prospects in 2025 and is determined to build on this momentum. As she continues to chase her dream of winning the New York City Marathon, Vivian Cheruiyot remains a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication, defying the typical expectations of age in elite athletics.
