Wesley Ngetich Kimutai

Wesley Ngetich Kimutai (December 15, 1977 – January 21, 2008) was a Kenyan marathon runner.

He was born in 1977 in Kiribwet, Kirindoni division, Trans Mara District. He went to Olpopongi Primary School, but did not go to high school, since his parents could not afford to pay his school fees. He did not compete outside Kenya until 2003.[1] He finished 5th at the 2004 Nairobi Marathon, timing 2:15:15 hours.[2]

Ngetich (center in green) at the 2007 Grandma's Marathon (then Senate candidate Al Franken at left)

He won the Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota in 2005 and 2007. Ngetich set his personal best of 2:12:10 hours when he finished second at the Houston Marathon in 2006. Post-election violence in his home country forced him and 13 other runners to drop out of the January 2008 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ngetich died after he was shot with a poisoned arrow on January 21, 2008 in Emarti, Trans Mara District, becoming the second international athlete to lose his life, after Lucas Sang, due to the political clashes.[3][4][5] He leaves two wives and three children. He was buried at his home village of Kiribwet.[1]

Achievements

Year Competition Venue Position Notes
Representing  Kenya
2005 Grandma's Marathon Duluth, Minnesota, United States 1st 2:13:18
2007 Grandma's Marathon Duluth, Minnesota, United States 1st 2:15:55

References

  1. 1 2 The Standard, January 29, 2008: Athlete killed on peace mission
  2. ↑ Nairobi Marathon results 2004
  3. ↑ KPHO-TV: Noted Marathoner Killed In Kenyan Violence, January 21, 2008
  4. ↑ The Courier-Mail: Marathon runner killed by poison arrow, January 23, 2008
  5. ↑ Reuters: FEATURE - Athletics - Unrest threatens Kenya sporting hopes, January 22, 2008


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