Peres Jepchirchir

Peres Jepchirchir is a celebrated Kenyan long-distance runner whose career has been defined by resilience, speed, and record-breaking performances on the global stage. Born on September 27, 1993, in Kisii County and raised in the highlands of Nandi, Peres discovered her passion for running as a young girl and quickly rose through Kenya’s competitive distance running ranks.

She made her international breakthrough in 2016, when she won the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff, Wales. In 2020, Jepchirchir rewrote the record books by setting a then-world record (women-only) in the half marathon at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland — a remarkable comeback after taking time off to become a mother.

Her crowning achievement came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021), where she claimed gold in the women’s marathon, making her only the second Kenyan woman ever to win an Olympic marathon. She later added wins at prestigious marathons including the New York City Marathon (2021) and Boston Marathon (2024).

Peres Jepchirchir’s dedication, humility, and consistency have made her a symbol of excellence in athletics, inspiring countless young athletes, particularly women, across the world to pursue their dreams with courage and endurance.