Kenya’s Joseph Chebet, lauded for serving to to convey his nation into the worldwide highlight after profitable each the New York and Boston marathons in 1999, died Friday at age 52.
Chebet died after being hospitalized for 3 days within the metropolis of Eldoret, about 200 kilometres northwest of the Kenyan capitol of Nairobi (and one of many centres of operating tradition in Kenya) following a brief sickness, his brother Ben Chebet advised Kenya’s Each day Nation.
Joseph Chebet who Received 1999 Boston and New York Marathon is Lifeless. Chebet died yesterday after a Quick Sickness. pic.twitter.com/fKZidG4q7q
— Hon.Kangogo Bowen 🇰🇪 (@KBDavidz) July 8, 2023
“We’ve misplaced an icon,” Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei mentioned in an announcement following Chebet’s demise. “He was one of many legends who introduced fame to our nation. I wish to ship my condolences to the household, associates, colleagues and athletics fraternity for his or her loss.”
Fellow Kenyan runner Moses Tenui, who gained the Boston Marathon in 1996 and 1998, provided his condolences, in addition to his recollections of Chebet as a fierce competitor. “Chebet was a superb athlete and he would combat to the end line,” he advised the Each day Nation. “I bear in mind in Boston Marathon in 1998, I ran with him to the end line the place I managed to beat him with three seconds. It’s unhappy that we’ve got misplaced him and I wish to ship my condolences to the household and associates throughout this tough second. It’s not straightforward to lose a liked one.”
Joseph Chebet, a retired marathoner, gave our nice nation a superb title on the worldwide tracks, he gained the 1999 Boston and New York Marathons. Might he RIP. #PsRayOmollo pic.twitter.com/HHPM2hYyMk
— Mkenya Mpenda Amani Najivunia (@chawaofficial) July 10, 2023
Chebet’s three-second loss to Tenui in 1998 kicked off a irritating and disappointing 12 months for Chebet, who would once more lose a serious marathon title by a mere three seconds, this time to fellow Kenyan John Kagwe on the New York Metropolis Marathon.
Chebet rallied the next 12 months, nonetheless, operating 2:09.52 to win Boston and a pair of:09.14 to prime the rostrum in New York. He bookended these 1999 career-highlight victories with wins on the Amsterdam Marathon in 1996 (2:10:57) and on the Vienna Marathon in 2003 (2:14:49).
On behalf of the stunning Individuals of Trans Nzoia county,I convey my heartfelt condolences to the household, Buddies and the folks of Kiptoi-Cherangany constituency for the lack of your son who was a Humble Lengthy distance athlete and 1999 Boston Marathon Champion Joseph Chebet. We’ll… pic.twitter.com/8BVkBjjpu6
— HON. ALLAN CHESANG (@HonAllanChesang) July 8, 2023
Additionally becoming a member of in providing their ondolences was Kenyan Sen. Allan Chesang, who praised Chebet for his humility. “We’ll all the time bear in mind his victories. He was a blessing to our Nation throughout his life. He served diligently and with humility as an officer within the Police power. His contribution to our nation will endure endlessly in our Hearts,” Chesang tweeted Friday.
Following his retirement from operating, Chebet took up farming within the Kenyan city of Kapyego.
