Why 2024 Boston Marathon is special for Kenya’s Evans Chebet

The second World Marathon Majors Road race of the year is around the corner.

In less than three weeks, elite marathoners from different regions of the universe will battle it out for the top prize at the 2024 Boston Marathon slated for April 15.

Among them will be the two-time winner Evans Chebet, who trains in Nandi County alongside the likes of the recently crowned Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto.

Chebet, who has been backed by most athletics fans to replace the late Kelvin Kiptum in Kenya’s 2024 Paris Olympic Games provisional marathon team, will be seeking to achieve an incredible feat in the streets of Boston.

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The 35-year-old aims to become the fifth person, and the third Kenyan man to win the prestigious title three times.

Other individuals who have won the Boston Marathon thrice in the past include the Kenyan duo of Cosmas Ndeti and Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Clarence Demar and Bill Rodgers.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming showdown, Chebet was confident of adding another Boston Marathon win to his remarkable running career.

“Boston has become like a second home to me. Even after having run 18 marathons during my career, the chance to race in Boston and the fans there give me the motivation necessary to prepare and defend my title.

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I look forward to hitting the streets there this spring and hearing the enthusiastic crowds along the course,” he was quoted by the organizers.

Chebet won his maiden Boston Marathon title in 2022 before defending it in impressive fashion last year.

At the 2023 edition, he won the race in an impeccable style, beating the likes of former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge in the process.

Chebet ran a calculated race and went on to cross the finishing line in a time of 2:05.54 ahead of Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay and Kipruto.

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He is expected to go head-to-head with a strong field this year. Some of the runners, who have already been confirmed for the race include the Ethiopian trio of Shura Kitata, Haftu Teklu and Sisay Lemma.

Albert Korir, Cyprian Kotut, Ronald Korir and Joshua Belet are also set to be in the starting lineup in Boston.

A win for Chebet will not only make him enter into the history books of road race running but also increase his chances of being named in Kenya’s squad for Paris Olympic Games.

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