Evans Chebet reveals secrets behind his remarkable marathon success
Evans Chebet has disclosed the key principles behind his remarkable marathon success, sharing insights into his disciplined training, perseverance, and the challenges that shaped his journey to global acclaim.
Former Valencia Marathon champion Evans Chebet has become a towering figure in the world of distance running, boasting an illustrious career with 30 marathons under his belt and three World Major Marathon titles to his name.
From humble beginnings in Elgeyo Marakwet County to the global stage, Chebet’s journey to the top is a shining example of determination, dedication and faith.
Reflecting on his achievements, Chebet, who has conquered courses in Boston and New York, says his success comes down to a simple but powerful mantra.
“The young upcoming athletes should exercise patience in their careers and not take shortcuts. My life story is a testament to that. I did not go past primary school, but the number of countries I have visited are numerous,” he said as per Star.
Chebet attributes much of his triumphs to unwavering discipline and a grueling training regimen.
The 35-year-old marathoner has no background in track running, focusing instead on road races from the start to provide for his family.
This unique approach was shaped by financial hardships that forced him to leave school at an early age to support his widowed mother and nine siblings.
“My father died just before I was born, leaving my mother to shoulder the burden of raising 10 children. I had to drop out of school while in Class Four and start burning charcoal to help her,” he recalled.
“Life was really hard, but I knew as a man, I had to do everything to support my family.”
Chebet’s turning point came in 2005 when his uncle, Isaac Koech, introduced him to running and bought him his first pair of training shoes.
Guided by his uncle and inspired by his late father, who had been a runner, Chebet began training with unwavering determination.
His big break came in 2006 when coach Claudio Berardelli invited him to join the Rosa camp in Kaptagat, where he honed his skills for the global stage.
“Coach Berardelli recruited me and began training me. In so many ways, he has moulded me into the man I am today,” Chebet said, acknowledging the critical role his mentor played in shaping his career.
Over the years, Chebet’s path to glory has been marked by strategic planning and meticulous preparation.
For instance, leading up to his impressive performance at the New York Marathon, he focused intensively on hill work.
“I had trained adequately before the New York race. My main area of focus was hill work and long runs. I used to do 20km to 30km of hill work every day as part of my training,” he revealed.
Despite his rigorous training and consistent results, Chebet has faced setbacks, including being overlooked for Kenya’s Olympic team.
However, he remains optimistic, using each challenge as motivation to push harder.
“It was heartbreaking not to have been included in the team for the Olympics. I know if I had been there, I would have no doubt come back home with gold,” he said.
Chebet’s career highlights include victories at the 2019 Buenos Aires Marathon, the 2020 Lake Biwa and Valencia Marathons, and back-to-back wins at the Boston Marathon in 2022 and 2023.
His win in New York in 2022 further cemented his status as a world-class athlete.
“My target next season is to win both New York and Boston. It’s something I know I am capable of, and I will work towards it,” he said, expressing his desire to continue building his legacy in 2025.
Balancing his career and family life, Chebet draws inspiration from his five children and his wife, Brillian Jepkorir, who is also an athlete.
“I hope my children will take up running in the future,” he said.
To aspiring runners, Chebet offers invaluable advice rooted in his life experience.
“Be prayerful and learn to invest wisely to secure your futures. More importantly, exercise patience and avoid shortcuts. My journey proves that success is possible even when starting from nothing."
posted Saturday November 16th
by Festus Chuma