“I run to change the life of my kids”

Nelly Jepkurui from Kenya is the back to back winner in female category in the 2021 and 2022 Congo River Marathon. We talked with her about her motives to come run the marathon in Congo and her training routine and looking forward to see her this year again at the starting line.

Where do you come from and what do you do for a living?

I am from from Moiben Sup, Kenya and I am a professional runner.

When did you start with running?

I started running when I was still in school, with the age of 15.

Where do you run in Kenya?

I run in Iten, Kenya. That’s where I'm living now and do my training. Iten is a town in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, 2,400m above sea level. It’s ideal for high altitude training and known by many to be the spiritual home of running.

How do you train for the marathon?

My training for the marathon is not easy, because running a marathon needs more work-out every weekend, you need a long run of 40km, 38km and 35 km every Saturday.

What are important self-care rituals after the marathon?

It’s important for me to recover fast, like 2 weeks after the marathon, I start my training again slowly.

You are the back to back winner of the Congo River Marathon in 2021 and 2022 in female category. What is your motivation to run in the DR Congo?

My motivation to run Congo River Marathon is because of my kids. I run, to change the life of my kids. Running marathons has helped my family a lot, especially my mother. Coming from a poor family, running marathons made our life better.

I'm so happy to be the winner of 2021 and 2022, thanks race organiser, Mr Rolly and Ms Nancy to welcome me to participate. I believe, that Congo River Marathon will be one day a big marathon in East Africa and will bring peace in Congo.

In which other countries have you run marathons so far?

In Uganda, China and many marathons in Brazil.

Which cities are on your wish list of running a marathon?

Prague, Czechia and Frankfurt, Germany.

Nelly, thanks so much for the conversation and we wish you best of luck for the 2023 XXL Energy Congo River Marathon.