Peres Jepchirchir won gold in the Tokyo Olympic marathon in 2:27:20 in Sapporo, Japan, after she wasn’t even originally named to the team when it was announced in early 2020.
Jepchirchir broke from the lead pack as they were approaching the 25-mile mark to win by 16 seconds and claim Kenya’s second consecutive gold medal in the event.
That victory set her up to claim a share of the AbbottWMM Series XIII, which she duly did by winning the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon to draw level on 50 points with Joyciline Jepkosgei.
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SERIES FINISHES
Series XIII (Joint 1st) 50pts
New York City
2021 (1st) 2:22:39
Olympic games
Tokyo 2020 (1st) 2:27:20
PERSONAL
Jepchirchir ran track growing up in western Kenya in a family full of farmers who grew tea and maize.
She ran three to five kilometers to and from school each day.
As she got older, inspired by the achievements of four-time TCS New York City Marathon champion Mary Keitany, she turned to the roads in 2013.
OTHER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2016
Valencia Half Marathon
1:07:09 (1st)
2016
Ras Al Khaimah International Half Marathon
1:06:54 (4th)
2017
Ras Al Khaimah International Half Marathon
1:05:06 (1st)
2019
Luso Meia Half Marathon
1:06:54 (1st)
2020
Prague Half Marathon
1:05:34 (1st)
2020
World Athletics Half Marathon Championships, Gdynia, Poland
