Running News Daily

Kenyan Mary Keitany turns focus on charity after retirement

Four-time New York City Marathon champion Mary Keitany wants to focus on charity work after hanging up her spikes in September.

The former world half-marathon record holder said she will be engaging more in charity as a way of giving back to the community after quitting active running.

"My community has been supportive throughout my running career and this is the only way I can reciprocate their gesture," he noted.

“My first race in 2006 was Shoe4Africa Charity race and I got huge support from the community despite finishing in the 21st. This opened doors for my long successful career and I feel I owe the community a lot,” said the 2009 world half marathon champion.  

Speaking during the Equator Road Run to raise funds towards the first-ever Children’s Cancer Hospital at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the women’s only marathon record-holder said she also has other big dreams that will be revealed soon.

“My first race was a charity run (Shoe4africa) and this opened doors for me and helped me a lot. I want to nurture young talents and share with them my experience and how to become a successful athlete,” she added.

Keitany dominated the New York City Marathon, winning four titles in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018. She finished second in 2017 and 2019 and third in 20110, and 2011. She also won the London marathon in 2011, 2012, and 2017 before finishing second in 2015.

 “Since I hang up my spikes, all I have thought about is charity work and how well to support upcoming athletes. A lot of athletes need guidance in their training and this is what I am willing to offer,” she added.

She said just as she has performed in marathon, she wants to leave a legacy as far as charity work is concerned and she will soon announce her program. 

“I want to do something so that I am not just forgotten like that. As I said I want to leave a legacy and that is why I am venturing into charity," she noted.