Evans Chebet Wins Boston Marathon, Conducts Interview in Swahili

Evans Chebet has won the Men’s  2022 Boston Marathon after clocking 2 hours 6 minutes 51 seconds.

It was his first major marathon win and was followed by compatriot Lawrence Cherono who came in second while Benson Kipruto finished third.

After crossing the finish line the marathoner insisted on conducting the interview in Swahili even as the journalist looked for a translator.

A File Image of Participants During the 2014 Boston Marathon

During the interview, he stated that he had to keep a close eye on his two key competitors to maintain some distance between them.

“I knew my competitors had the time, I had to ensure that I was not near them to guarantee my win,” he stated.

After the win, Kenyans took to social media to congratulate the marathoner for taking pride in his motherland and conducting an interview in Swahili.

“Evans Chebet winner of the Boston Marathon doing an interview in Swahili. Good one, tujivunie Kiswahili (Let us take pride in Kiswahili),” Citizen TV journalist, Mike Okinyi tweeted.

In the women’s division, Peres Jepchirchir registered a win as the organisers celebrated 50 years since the division was started.

She finished the race in 2 hours 21 minutes and 1 second. Her Kenyan counterpart Mary Ngugi came in third.

“Above all, I was feeling she was strong and I pushed it, I feel I’m tired. I go behind, but I didn’t lose hope. The course is tough but I thank God that I managed to win the race,” Jepchirchir stated after her win.

The famous marathon had been postponed by the organisers in 2020 after the global pandemic hit parts of China in 2019.

More to follow…