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Kenya's 42-year-old two-time world champion wants a second Boston Marathon title on April 18, and reveals how she balances motherhood with running.

Since winning her Boston Marathon debut in 2017, the Kenyan running star Edna Kiplagat has made the podium of the oldest race twice.

Despite being 42-years-old, the double world champion believes she can finish top of the podium again at the 2022 Boston Marathon on 18 April.

“If everything goes well as per my training and my body responds well, I’m hoping to be on the podium (in Boston) or do even better," Kiplagat said in an exclusive interview with Olympics.Com from her training base in Longmont, Colorado, USA.

“I enjoy running and as a professional athlete I believe running never stops."

But even a podium place isn't a given in a star-studded women's field that also includes reigning Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir.

Running is a family affair for Kiplagat

Kiplagat remembers exactly when she started running, aged 16.

She is also very clear about when she first donned the Kenyan kit, saying: “I started representing Kenya in 1996 as a junior at the 1996 World (Cross Country) in South Africa."

What she doesn’t know is when she will finally hang up her competition trainers.

“I cannot say when I will stop. I know someday I will, but I am not done for now," she continued.

“I have my kids and other upcoming athletes looking up to me. I want to keep running to be a role model to them, motivate them and then use my experience later to help them in future.”

Kiplagat, who was scouted in high school by Brother Colm O’Connell - the legendary coach who moulded two-time Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha - sights her family as her key inspiration.

She is coached by husband and former runner Gilbert Koech, while her two children, Carlos (17), and Wendy (13), are already mastering distance running in school.

Kiplagat is also among a select group of athletes who have returned to the peak of their careers after giving birth.

“It’s not easy,” she admitted of raising her two biological children (born between 2004 and 2008) and three others that she adopted.

“After training, I have to come home and take care of my family as they are my priority. They need me and I must play my role as a mother.

“I have a great support team - my coach and my training partners, physio, and nutritionist who play an important role in my career. I get ample time to train and be with my family and even for recovery.”

Boston Marathon: A stepping stone to the Worlds and the Olympics

Two-and-a-half decades after her first race, Kiplagat is still runs between 110km - 130km in a week.

The passion and excitement the three-time World Marathon Major winner takes into every race has never wavered.

Last year at Boston she executed an incredible sprint finish to seal second behind Kenyan winner Diana Kipyokei.

“I know the course very well and I have had very good training in the build-up to this. I am expecting a very fast pace as most of the elites have run under 2.20 so they will push the pace from the start and even the course record may be lowered if the weather conditions are favourable,” the London 2012 Olympian said of what she expects to be a “very competitive race”.

Kiplagat has tuned up for her fifth Boston race with a ninth-place finish at the New York City Half Marathon on March 20.

“This was part of my speedwork to see how my body responds after the months of training."

The flame of ambition still burns brightly for Kiplagat, who in 2013 successfully defended her marathon world title.

A second win in Boston will make her only the second Kenyan woman to do so.

The first was 2008 Olympic silver medallist Catherine Ndereba, who clinched four-consecutive Boston titles.

Kiplagat, who finished fourth at the 2019 Worlds in Doha, now hopes to join the elite club of Kenyans who have won 13 of the last 21 Boston Marathon women's titles.

Kiplagat's 26-year career as a long-distance runner

Marathons are a gruelling endeavour that tests body and mind in equal measure.

But Kiplagat who honed her career in Kenyan running's spiritual home of Iten, and that may help explain her unbelievable longevity in the sport.

She is the first able-bodied athlete to record ten top-three finishes in World Marathon Majors New York, London, Boston and Tokyo, and wants to extend her top-flight marathon career - that dates back to 2010 when she won her debut 42km race in Los Angeles - to the Paris 2024 Olympics at least.

“I have been persistent with my routine. I believe in myself and fully trust my coach," she said.

"We have stuck to our plans, strategy on what we want to do and what we expect from each race. I always try to understand what is needed from me and plan how to execute my races on race day.

“I have tried to be consistent in everything I do. I am disciplined and I’m still looking forward to do even better.”

Younger athletes can also pick up valuable experiences from the running trailblazer.

“They need to have a plan for their races to avoid burnout. (They) must also have ample time for recovery, a good build-up and preparation. If you want to keep running for long it also needs a proper plan and patience with yourself.”

Britain’s rising sprint sensation Yemi Mary John delivered the performance of her career at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix, blazing to a sensational victory in the women’s 400m with a huge personal best of 49.85 seconds.

Under the bright lights in Tokyo, the young British star produced a fearless and composed run, powering through the final straight to dip under the coveted 50-second barrier for the very first time. In doing so, John etched her name into British athletics history, becoming only the ninth British woman ever to break 50 seconds in the one-lap event. Her remarkable performance also lifts her to seventh on the all-time British rankings, confirming her arrival among the nation’s elite quarter-milers.

The race unfolded at a relentless pace from the opening stages, but John remained calm and controlled before unleashing a devastating finish over the final 100 metres. Her breakthrough performance signals a major step forward in what is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting careers in British sprinting.

American athlete Bailey Lear also impressed with a lifetime best of 50.42 seconds to secure second place after a strong and competitive display. The high-quality contest in Tokyo highlighted the growing depth and intensity in women’s 400m sprinting on the international stage.

For John, however, the night belonged entirely to her. Breaking the 50-second barrier is widely regarded as one of the defining milestones in women’s sprinting, and the manner in which she achieved it suggests there may be even faster times ahead. Her victory in Tokyo not only delivered a statement win but also announced her as a serious force to watch as the global athletics season continues to build momentum.

American sprint sensation Noah Lyles delivered another emphatic statement on the global stage after storming to victory in the men’s 100 metres at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix, clocking a brilliant 9.95 seconds in a performance that electrified the crowd and reaffirmed his status as one of the fastest men in the world.

Competing against a quality international field, Lyles exploded out of the blocks with confidence and composure before unleashing his trademark top-end speed over the closing metres to comfortably secure the win. Assisted by a legal +0.6 m/s wind, the American crossed the line well ahead of compatriot Tate Taylor, who finished second in 10.04, while Great Britain’s Jake Odey-Jordan claimed third place in 10.09.

The race once again highlighted Lyles’ growing dominance in the short sprints as he continues building momentum ahead of the major championships season. His sub-10 performance was not only a victory but also a warning shot to the rest of the sprinting world, showcasing both his sharp early-season form and exceptional finishing power.

The Japanese contingent also delivered respectable performances on home soil, led by Yoshihide Kiryu in fourth place with 10.15. Fellow countrymen Shota Iizuka and Yuki Koike followed closely in 10.19 and 10.21 respectively, while Ryota Yamagata finished seventh in 10.24.

For Lyles, the victory represents far more than just another win. It reflects the consistency, confidence, and championship mentality that have made him one of track and field’s biggest stars. With the season gathering pace, performances like this continue to raise anticipation for what could become another historic year for the American sprint king.

Uruguayan distance sensation Santiago Catrofe delivered the performance of his life in spectacular fashion, rewriting South American athletics history with a breathtaking run in the men’s 3000m. Competing against some of the world’s strongest distance runners, Catrofe crossed the finish line in an astonishing 7:29.72 to finish 13th overall — a result that carried enormous historical significance far beyond the final placing.

With that extraordinary performance, Catrofe became the first South American athlete in history to break the legendary 7:30 barrier in the 3000m. In the process, he shattered the South American record and lowered the Uruguayan national record, producing one of the greatest distance-running performances ever seen from the continent.

Although the race was loaded with world-class talent and relentless early pace, Catrofe refused to be intimidated. He remained composed throughout the contest before producing a powerful closing effort that ensured his name would forever be etched into athletics history.

The historic run represents a major breakthrough for South American distance running and further establishes Catrofe as one of the region’s brightest stars on the global stage. His achievement sends a strong message that South American athletes are capable of competing at unprecedented levels in elite middle- and long-distance events.

For Uruguay, the performance is nothing short of monumental. Catrofe’s remarkable run is expected to inspire future generations of athletes across the continent, proving that barriers once considered impossible are now meant to be broken.

On a night where the stopwatch told an unforgettable story, Santiago Catrofe did far more than finish a race — he changed the history of South American athletics forever.

In one of the most thrilling races of the evening at the Shanghai Diamond League, Ireland’s Mark English produced a breathtaking late surge to storm to victory in the men’s 800 meters, clocking a sensational meet record of 1:43.85 in a race defined by chaos, tension, and extraordinary depth.

With the field still tightly packed entering the final 100 meters, all eleven athletes remained within striking distance in what had become a furious tactical battle. Elbows brushed, strides overlapped, and the roaring Shanghai crowd sensed that something special was unfolding. For a moment, it looked impossible to predict who would emerge from the wall of bodies charging down the home straight.

But amid the confusion, English found clarity.

The Irishman timed his finishing burst to perfection, unleashing a devastating kick that sliced through the field with ruthless precision. While others tightened under pressure, English accelerated with remarkable composure and power, separating himself in the final strides to capture one of the biggest victories of his career. His winning mark of 1:43.85 not only secured the title but also shattered the previous meet record, underlining the quality of an unforgettable contest.

Beyond the victory itself, the performance carried historic significance for Irish athletics. With his triumph in Shanghai, Mark English became the first Irish male athlete ever to win a Diamond League race, carving his name into the history books in spectacular fashion. His breakthrough moment now places him alongside fellow Irish Diamond League winners Ciara Mageean, Rhasidat Adeleke, and Sarah Healy, further highlighting the remarkable rise of Irish athletics on the global stage.

What made the performance even more impressive was the sheer competitiveness of the race. Rarely does an elite 800m final remain so condensed so deep into the closing stages, yet English thrived in the unpredictability. His ability to stay patient in traffic, maintain balance under immense pressure, and then deliver a perfectly executed finishing drive showcased the experience and racing intelligence that have defined his resurgence on the global stage.

The victory in Shanghai now sends a strong message to the rest of the world’s middle-distance elite: Mark English is no longer simply competing among the best — he is beating them. On a night filled with drama and world-class performances, it was the Irish star’s fearless finish that left the most lasting impression.

The women’s 3000m steeplechase at the Shanghai Diamond League delivered one of the most dramatic distance races of the season as Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai produced a world-leading performance to narrowly deny Kenya’s Faith Cherotich in a breathtaking sprint finish.

Chemutai stormed to victory in 8:51.47, smashing the meeting record and posting the fastest time in the world this year. But the Olympic champion was pushed to the absolute limit by the fearless teenage Kenyan sensation Cherotich, who crossed the line just one hundredth of a second later in 8:51.48 for a season’s best performance.

From the opening laps, the pace was aggressive and relentless. The leading pack quickly separated itself from the field, with Chemutai and Cherotich exchanging control throughout the race while maintaining metronomic rhythm over the barriers and water jumps. As the bell rang for the final lap, the stadium atmosphere intensified with both athletes refusing to yield.

Cherotich launched a powerful challenge over the closing stages and looked capable of pulling off a major victory, but Chemutai found one final surge in the home straight to clinch the win in one of the closest finishes seen on the Diamond League circuit this season.

Behind the leading duo, Tunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani delivered a historic run to finish third in 8:58.09, setting a new national record and becoming the first Tunisian woman to break the nine-minute barrier in the event. Ethiopia’s Kena Tufa also impressed with a personal best of 8:59.66 to place fourth, while compatriot Alemnat Walle clocked a season’s best 9:10.05 for fifth.

Representing Kazakhstan, former world champion Norah Jeruto continued her return to top-level competition with a season’s best 9:10.90 to secure sixth place.

The race confirmed that the women’s steeplechase is entering another golden era, with established champions and rising stars pushing each other to extraordinary levels. For Kenya, Cherotich’s performance was another strong reminder that the country’s future in the event remains exceptionally bright despite missing victory by the narrowest possible margin.

Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Results — Shanghai Diamond League

1. Peruth Chemutai (Uganda) – 8:51.47 (MR, WL)

2. Faith Cherotich (Kenya) – 8:51.48 (SB)

3. Marwa Bouzayani (Tunisia) – 8:58.09 (NR)

4. Kena Tufa (Ethiopia) – 8:59.66 (PB)

5. Alemnat Walle (Ethiopia) – 9:10.05 (SB)

6. Norah Jeruto (Kazakhstan) – 9:10.90 (SB)

7. Parul Chaudhary (India) – 9:12.84 (SB)

8. Lexy Halladay (USA) – 9:13.99 (SB)

9. Angelina Ellis (USA) – 9:20.53 (PB)

10. Cara Feain-Ryan (Australia) – 9:21.35 (PB)

11. Olivia Markezich (USA) – 9:22.15 (SB)

12. Kaylee Mitchell (USA) – 9:24.26 (SB)

13. Firehiwot Gesese (Ethiopia) – 9:25.13 (PB)

Peruth Chemutai’s stunning victory in Shanghai was more than just another Diamond League win — it was a powerful statement to the rest of the world that she remains one of the greatest forces in women’s steeplechase. Clocking a world-leading and meeting record performance under immense pressure, the Ugandan star once again showcased her extraordinary composure, strength, and championship mentality. In a race filled with elite talent and relentless pace, Chemutai proved that true champions rise when the stakes are highest, further cementing her place among the finest steeplechasers of her generation.