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 February 2, 1994) is a famous distance runner from Kenya. He became a huge star in college, winning 17 national championships for the University of Oregon. Edward was one of the most sought-after high school runners in the country. He was even named the Gatorade National Cross Country Runner of the Year for 2012-2013.
In 2013, Edward made history. He was the first freshman at Oregon to win the NCAA National Cross Country Championships. He won this race again in his second and third years! Edward has a total of 17 NCAA national titles. These include wins in indoor distance medley relays and a cross-country team title.
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Edward's Early Life and Family
Edward Cheserek was born on February 2, 1994, in a place called Chepteran, Iten, Kenya. His family were farmers from the Marakwet tribe. This tribe is part of the larger Kalenjin people group in Kenya.
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. He left when he was 14 years old. Edward grew up on a farm without electricity or running water. His home was in the hills of northeastern Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya. This area is almost two miles above sea level!
Edward's Running Journey
Starting His Running Career
Edward Cheserek started running when he was 14. His father saw how good he was at running on the soccer field. He told Edward to focus on running. Edward then joined special training camps for athletes in Iten. In 2009, he won national junior titles in Kenya. He won races like the steeplechase, 5,000 metres, and 10,000 metres.
The next year, in 2010, a group from Nairobi helped him. They helped him get a scholarship to Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, United States.
High School Running Success
In the summer of 2010, Edward moved to the United States. He started at Saint Benedict's Preparatory School that fall. He won the Foot Locker National High School Cross Country meet 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 record that had stood for 49 years! When he was a senior, Edward was the most wanted high school distance runner in the country.
Edward once said about 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
Edward chose to go to the University of Oregon. In the fall of 2013, he became the first freshman in Oregon's history to win an NCAA National Cross Country Championship. As a freshman, Edward also won two indoor track and field championships in 2014. He won the 3000m and 5000m runs. He showed he could run well at different distances. In 2015, he won the indoor mile race at the NCAA championships.
At the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Edward ran an amazing final 400 meters in the 10,000m race. He finished in 53.17 seconds to win the race! His time was 28:30.18, which was his personal best. A few days later, he ran the 5,000m race. He ran the last 400 meters in 56.84 seconds. He came in second place with a personal best time of 13:18.71. Edward's points helped the University of Oregon's men's team win the championship.
Because of his amazing success in college, a newspaper called The Wall Street Journal said in 2015 that Edward was the "next great American distance runner." Edward hopes to become an American citizen one day.
During his college career, Edward earned the nickname King Ches. This name came from his many winning streaks!
| Oregon | Pac12 Cross Country | NCAA Cross Country | Indoor MPSF | NCAA Indoor | Outdoor Pac12 | NCAA Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman 13-14 | 8000: 24:36.0 1st | 10,000: 29:41.0 1st | 3000: 7:47.20 1st | 3000: 8:11.59 1st 5000: 13:46.67 1st |
1500: 3:36.50 1st | 5000 13:18.71 2nd 10,000: 28:30.18 1st |
| Sophomore 14-15 | 8000: 23:22.1 1st | 10,000: 30:19.4 1st | DMR: 9:27.02 1st | Mile: 3:57.94 1st 3000: 7:59.42 2nd DMR: 9:30.53 1st |
5000: 13:45.25 1st | 5000: 13:48.67 1st 10,000: 28:58.92 1st |
| Junior 15-16 | 8000: 23:06.3 1st | 10,000: 28:45.8 1st | 3000: 8:00.40 1st 5000: 13:47.89 1st DMR: 9:27.27 1st |
10,000 28:58.57 1st | 5,000 13:25.59 1st 10,000: 29:09.57 1st |
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| Senior 16-17 | 8000: 23:58.9 1st | 10,000: 29:48.0 3rd | 5,000: 13:42.20 1st
3,000: 7:55.91 1st Mile: 4:05.42 2nd |
10,000: 29:11.76 1st |
Professional Running Career
In 2017, Edward Cheserek became a professional runner. He signed with the Skechers Performance Team. In 2018, at an event in Boston, he ran the mile in 3:49.44. This was his personal best time. At that time, it was the second fastest indoor mile ever run in the world! In 2019, he 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 that day.
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Edward's Competition Records
Edward has competed in many races, representing Kenya. Here are some of his notable results:
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Representing Kenya |
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| 2011 | Adidas Grand Prix | New York City, United States | 4th | 1 Mile | 4:03.29 | |
| 2012 | Millrose Games | New York City, United States | 8th | 5000 m | 13:57.04(i) | |
| 2014 | Millrose Games | New York City, United States | 8th | 2 Mile | 8:39.15(i) | |
| 2015 | Millrose Games | New York City, United States | 8th | Mile | 3:56.43(i) | |
| 2016 | Millrose Games | New York City, United States | 6th | 3000 m | 7:40.51(i) | |
| 2018 | BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | 1st | Mile | 3:49.44(i) | |
| 2019 | BU Last chance Invitational | Boston, MA, United States | 1st | 5000 m | 13:08.05 | |
Edward's Best Times (Personal Records)
Edward has set many personal bests throughout his running career.
High School Best Times
- 800 m: 1:49.98 (2012)
- Mile: 4:03.29 (2011)
- 2-mile (indoor): 8:39.15 (2013)
- 5000 m: 14:02.33 (2011)
College Best Times
- 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 Best Times
- Mile (indoor): 3:49.44 (2018)
- 3000 m (indoor): 7:38.74 (2018)
- 5000 m (indoor): 13:08.05 (2019)
- 5000 m (road): 13:29 (2019)
- 10000 m: 27:23.58 (2020)
- Half Marathon: 59:11 (2023)
- Marathon: 2:05:24 (2024)
