"My running talent has taken me to so many places. I've come to this country, I became a citizen, and that's an opportunity that a lot of people don't have. And I got it, and I'm very thankful for that. That’s why I feel it would be a great honor for me to make the Olympics. That's why I keep pursuing that dream. And I know it's going to be valid one time."
My guest for today’s episode is Elkanah Kibet. The 40-year-old was in third place by 15 seconds going into the final mile of the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials but a charging Leonard Korir managed to catch him for the final spot that will likely go to the Paris Olympics. Kibet finished fourth in 2:10:02 – which set a new U.S. masters marathon record. He was so gratuitous after the race and handled the fourth place finish with so much humility. It was remarkable.
Kibet has improved as a marathoner in his late 30s and isn’t ready to call an end to his Olympic dreams. He’ll be 44 at the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and he’s already planning the road there.
When he’s not running in the early or late hours of the day, he is a husband and a father of three. He also works a full-time job in the U.S. Army as a financial comptroller in Fort Carson, Colorado. He has a tremendous pride for this country. He shares his story of coming from Kenya and all of the opportunities that America has given him, which is why he doesn’t hesitate to represent the red, white and blue at a World Championships and has done so four times in his career.
We know the guys who make the Olympic team. Let’s not forget the hard work of those who come close.
Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Guest: Elkanah Kibet | ⁠⁠⁠@airbornrunner on Instagram⁠⁠
Time Stamps:
04:45: His thoughts on placing fourth at the Trials.
06:33: What was going through his mind as third-place finisher Leonard Korir went by him during the race.
07:55: Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics, where he will be 44 years old.
08:59: Breaks down his race and how he was able to move up throughout the race.
12:32: Shares about moving to the U.S. on a scholarship, joining the army after finishing college, and how he was able to continue training while working full-time.
16:50: What running for the U.S. means to him.
17:36: His desire to bring a medal home to the U.S. next year.
19:30: How shoe technology has helped him stay consistent.
21:14: How he manages his training load around working full-time.
23:41: How splits runs into singles/doubles + his focus on recovery.
25:04: His relationship with his coach. 
28:09: How he balances training while working for the army + getting deployed. 
32:25: How long he plans on continuing to run competitively for. 
36:59: What's next for him.
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