You ain't seen nothin' yet

Even with multiple titles from major city marathons under her belt, Joyce Chepchumba says you ain't seen nothin' yet.

At 32 years of age, with two London and two Chicago Marathon wins and the recent New York City Marathon title, among others, under her belt, one might be excused of thinking that Chepchumba perhaps would be considering an 'early' retirement to manage the large financial prize pot which she has accumulated during her lucrative career – 230,000USD from her 1999 London win alone!.

"I am not considering retirement soon. In fact, I will run for as long as my legs will be able to carry me. As long as I am in good health, I will keep running," confirmed Chepchumba last week.

With a disarming smile that belies the celebrity status around her, she says she will be around for quite a while to come.

"I am not in a hurry to quit. Neither have I set any targets for me to achieve. I have also not set a time frame for my retirement. I am currently at my apex and I don't see myself going down soon," she said confidently.

Few know that Chepchumba is married to former long jumper Haroun Kitur with whom she lives in Nakuru, Kenya's third biggest urban centre some 200km west of Nairobi. They have a 10-year-old son and they have also adopted a daughter who is now seven. Any time Chepchumba’s diary is free from big city marathons, she dashes home to take care of the family.

Confidence is her forte. "When I train well and I know I am in good shape, I fear nobody," she said. “The Marathon is a long race that must be approached tactically. One can suffer stitches on the way, among other mishaps. One can go out only a few metres to the finish.”

This humble unassuming lady was born in Belgut, near Kericho and attended Poiywek Secondary School where she started her athletics career in 1986. Her speciality was cross country but made her break through into athletics in 1990 on the road, when the then Kenya Amateur Athletics Association (KAAA) gave her a chance to join the team to Chiba Ekiden relay.

Three years later, she proceeded to Germany where she settled in the Volker Wagner squad of runners in Detmold. Others in this star-studded group were the former holder of the world marathon best Tegla Loroupe, Hellen Kimaiyo, Helen Chemweno and Pauline Konga. The following year in 1994, she was in the Kenyan team for World Cross Country Championships in Budapest.

Chepchumba has since graduated as a specialist of big city marathon races. She won the Flora London Marathon for the first time in 1997 (2:26:51) and proceeded to win Chicago Marathon in 1998 (2:23:57). She retained the Chicago title the following year (2:25:59) and also won the London Marathon for the second time in her personal best time of 2:23:22 and added the Tokyo Marathon for good measure in 2000 (2:24:02).

Last month’s victory in New York City ended many elusive attempts at that title. She was third in 1996 (2:29:38), fourth in 1995 (her marathon debut) and 2001 (2:33:51 and 2:24:54).

Her attempts at the Half Marathon have not been as successful as at the full distance. Her best placing so far in World Championships was fourth in Kosice (1997). Others placing were fifth in Palermo (1999), sixth in Uster(1998) and eleventh in Bristol (2001).

She will now be around in Kenya until January when she will start her training regime and is confidently matter a fact about her annual schedule.

“As I normally do, I will proceed to Germany or Portugal between January and February. If Germany is too cold, I go to Algarve then proceed to Detmold if the weather has improved to complete my training. After that, and having agreed with my manager, I will proceed to London or wherever we will decide to run the (Spring) marathon race. I then fly back home immediately to stay here (Kenya) between May and June. I go to Switzerland around July, either St Moritz or Davos for altitude training after which we agree which (autumn) marathon to go to.”

Chepchumba exudes an extraordinary confidence, gained from following a well honed winning formula, and as long as her positive mindset continues, it’s hard not to believe that the world of marathon running really ain't seen nothin' yet!

Omulo Okoth for IAAF