Edward Cheserek facts for kids
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Cheserek at the 2018 Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Born | 2 February 1994 |
| Height | 1.69 m |
| Sport | |
| Country |  Kenya |
| Sport | Athletics/Track, Long-distance running |
| Event(s) | 1500 meters, 5000 meters, 10,000 meters |
| College team | Oregon Ducks |
| Club | Skechers |
| Turned pro | May 2017 |
| Coached by | Andy Powell (2013-2018) Stephen Haas (2019-2021) Andy Powell (2021 October - present) |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) |
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Edward Cheserek, born on February 2, 1994, is an amazing long-distance runner from Kenya. He became a huge star in college, winning 17 national championships for the University of Oregon. Before college, Edward was the top high school distance runner in the country. He attended Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in New Jersey. There, he was named the Gatorade National Cross Country Runner of the Year for 2012-2013.
In 2013, Edward made history at the University of Oregon. He was the first freshman to win the NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship. He won this championship again in his second and third years. In his final year, he placed third. Overall, Edward Cheserek has won 17 NCAA National Titles. These include two indoor distance medley relays and one cross-country team title.
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Edward Cheserek's Early Life
Edward Cheserek was born on February 2, 1994. His family lived in Chepteran, Iten, Kenya. They were farmers from the Marakwet tribe. This tribe is part of the larger Kalenjin people.
Edward's father, Jacob, was a soldier in the Kenyan military. He has passed away. His mother, Dinah, still lives in Kenya. Edward is the fourth of seven children. He is the only one in his family who moved away from Kenya at age 14. He grew up on a farm without electricity or running water. His home was in Kapker hamlet, Kapchebau village. This area is in the hills of northeastern Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya. It is nearly two miles above sea level.
Edward's Running Journey
High School Running Success
Edward Cheserek started running when he was 14 years old. His father saw his talent on the soccer field. He encouraged Edward to focus on running. Edward then joined special training camps in Iten.
In 2009, Edward won national junior titles in Kenya. He won in the steeplechase, 5,000 metres, and 10,000 metres races. The next year, in 2010, a group called Stadi za Maisha helped him. They helped him get a scholarship to Saint Benedict's Preparatory School. This school is in Newark, New Jersey, United States.
Edward moved to the U.S. in the summer of 2010. He started at Saint Benedict's Preparatory School that fall. He won the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships twice. He won in 2011 and again in 2012. He was also named the Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year for 2012-2013.
In 2013, he set a new high school indoor 2-mile record. His time was 8:39.25. This broke a 49-year-old record! During his last year of high school, Edward was the most wanted distance runner in the country.
Edward once said about his running: I have been lucky enough to have a good coach. To be good, to train good and want success, you need your coach to show you those things. I also want to be as good as what my coach wants me to be. That is what makes a difference with a runner. When you run and practice, you can do it for the coach. When you do it for the coach and yourself, you are at your best. You try harder and get better each day. I like being better each race. There is no reason to run if you don't.
College Running Achievements
The University of Oregon wanted Edward to join their team. In the fall of 2013, he became the first freshman at Oregon to win an NCAA National Cross Country Championship. As a freshman, Edward also won two indoor national titles. He won the 3000m and 5000m runs at the 2014 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Edward showed he could run well at different distances. He won the indoor mile at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. At the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Edward had an amazing finish. He ran his last 400 meters in 53.17 seconds. This helped him win the 10,000m race with a personal best time of 28:30.18.
He also competed in the 5,000m race. He ran a very fast last 400 meters in 56.84 seconds. He placed second in that race, setting another personal best. His strong performances helped the University of Oregon men's team win their title. Because of his amazing college success, a newspaper called The Wall Street Journal said he was the "next great American distance runner." Edward hopes to become an American citizen one day.
During his college career, Edward earned a cool nickname: King Ches. This name came from all his winning streaks!
Here are some of Edward's top college achievements:
- Freshman Year (2013-2014):
- Won NCAA Cross Country Championship.
- Won NCAA Indoor 3000m and 5000m.
- Won NCAA Outdoor 10,000m.
- Sophomore Year (2014-2015):
- Won NCAA Cross Country Championship again.
- Won NCAA Indoor Mile and Distance Medley Relay (DMR).
- Won NCAA Outdoor 5000m and 10,000m.
- Junior Year (2015-2016):
- Won NCAA Cross Country Championship for the third time.
- Won NCAA Indoor 3000m, 5000m, and DMR.
- Won NCAA Outdoor 5000m and 10,000m.
- Senior Year (2016-2017):
- Placed 3rd at NCAA Cross Country Championship.
- Won NCAA Indoor 3000m and 5000m.
Professional Running Career
In 2017, Edward Cheserek became a professional runner. He signed with the Skechers Performance Team. In 2018, he ran the mile in 3:49.44 at a race in Boston. This was his personal best time. At that time, it was the second fastest indoor mile ever run in the world!
In 2019, Edward ran the Carlsbad 5k road race. He tied the official world record with a time of 13:29. His girlfriend, Sharon Lokedi, also won the women's race.
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Edward's Top Races
Edward has competed in many important races, representing Kenya:
- 2011: Adidas Grand Prix in New York City, United States – 4th place in the Mile (4:03.29)
- 2012: Millrose Games in New York City, United States – 8th place in the 5000m (13:57.04)
- 2014: Millrose Games in New York City, United States – 8th place in the 2 Mile (8:39.15)
- 2015: Millrose Games in New York City, United States – 8th place in the Mile (3:56.43)
- 2016: Millrose Games in New York City, United States – 6th place in the 3000m (7:40.51)
- 2018: BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, Massachusetts, United States – 1st place in the Mile (3:49.44)
- 2019: BU Last Chance Invitational in Boston, MA, United States – 1st place in the 5000m (13:08.05)
Edward's Fastest Times (Personal Records)
Edward has set many personal bests throughout his career. Here are some of his fastest times:
High School Records
- 800 m: 1:49.98 (2012)
- Mile (indoor): 4:02.21 (2012)
- 2-mile (indoor): 8:39.15 (2013) - This was a national high school record!
- 5000 m (indoor): 13:57.04 (2012)
College Records
- Mile (indoor): 3:52.01 (2017)
- 1500 m: 3:36.50 (2014)
- 3000 m (indoor): 7:40.51 (2016)
- 5000m: 13:18.71 (2014)
- 10,000 m: 28:30.18 (2014)
Professional Records
- Mile (indoor): 3:49.44 (2018) - One of the fastest indoor miles ever!
- 3000 m (indoor): 7:38.74 (2018)
- 5000 m (road): 13:29 (2019) - Tied a world record!
- 10000 m: 27:23.58 (2020)
- Half Marathon: 60:37 (2022)
- Marathon: 2:05:24 (2024)
