Elijah Lagat: How Former Boston Marathon Champion Met Untimely Death in Uasin Gishu

Kenya athletics fraternity has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Boston Marathon champion and ex-MP Elijah Kiptum Lagat. 

The veteran runner, who also served as MP for Emgwen and Chesumei constituencies, passed away on Monday night at Eldoret Hospital in Uasin Gishu County after a short illness.

Lagat, 58, had been admitted to the facility last Friday after collapsing at his Elgon View home in Eldoret. He was immediately rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where doctors diagnosed him with high blood pressure.

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Family members revealed that his condition had initially shown signs of improvement over the weekend before it suddenly worsened on Monday night.

“He was diagnosed with high blood pressure and was at the ICU. By Sunday, he had regained consciousness and was even talking, [but] he died on Monday night,” said his brother Abraham Lagat, who spoke at the hospital as quoted by Nation.

Until his death, Lagat was serving as a board member at the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada), balancing his public service with his enduring passion for athletics.

Before venturing into politics, Lagat was a decorated marathoner with victories across some of the world’s biggest races.

 Interestingly, his journey into long-distance running began as a personal effort to reduce weight at the age of 27, only to blossom into a glittering international career.

At the 104th edition of the Boston Marathon, Lagat etched his name into history when he triumphed in a hotly contested race, edging out Ethiopia’s Gezahegne Abera in 2:09:4. 

Another Kenyan, Moses Tanui, came in third just three seconds later. That victory cemented Lagat’s place among the country’s finest marathoners.

His career highlights included a first international win at the 1997 Berlin Marathon in a personal best of 2:07:41, followed by another major victory at the 1998 Prague Marathon in 2:08:52. 

Over the years, he featured in prestigious events such as Frankfurt, Turin, New York, Paris, and Chicago marathons, often finishing among the top contenders.

Despite his rich career, Lagat also faced setbacks. Selected to represent Kenya at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, he failed to complete the marathon. The following year, his bid to reclaim the Boston Marathon crown ended with a 17th-place finish.

Encouraged by friends in 2002, Lagat tried his hand in politics. Though his first attempt at the Emgwen Constituency parliamentary seat on a Kanu ticket was unsuccessful, he remained undeterred.

 In 2007, he made a successful comeback on an ODM ticket, defeating incumbent Stephen Tarus. He would later serve as Chesumei MP after winning the 2013 elections.

Throughout his political career, Lagat earned a reputation as a people-centered leader who relied heavily on dialogue and consultation.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang described him as a man who embodied humility and dedication both in politics and athletics. 

“Lagat was a distinguished leader whose legacy will remain forever. We shall remember him, not only as an MP but also as a person who served everyone with dedication and humility; and also as a great athlete,” said Governor Sang.

“As a legislator, Lagat was deeply committed to dialogue and inclusivity and he led with wisdom, always engaging in wide consultation to ensure the voices of his constituents were respected and represented,” he added.

Lagat was born on June 19, 1966 in Saniak, Nandi County. His mother, Rebecca Cheruto Bor, passed away earlier this year in February, leaving the family with a double blow in 2025.

Meanwhile, the athletics fraternity in Uasin Gishu is also preparing to lay to rest former Africa 3,000m steeplechase champion Jairus Birech, who died earlier this month. Birech will be buried at his home in Kesses on Saturday.

At both the track and in Parliament, Elijah Lagat leaves behind a legacy of determination, resilience, and service to his people.