Elvin Kibet was born and raised in a small village in Kenya, not far from Iten, a town internationally recognized as a hotbed of elite running. Kibet's focus growing up, however, was school; she was determined to earn good grades. And she did. But, ultimately, her grades weren't enough to earn her a scholarship to cover her university expenses. There was, as it turned out, another way though.
Kibet's two older sisters, Sylvia and Hilda, were both internationally competitive runners by the time she finished high school. Their advice: if you want to earn a scholarship and choose your own major in university, you need to run.
This set Elvin Kibet on a journey to earn a running scholarship to a US university, which she did. And it was through this process, that she also discovered not only a talent for running fast and racing, but also a love of the sport. Post college, Kibet continued to pursue her racing dreams, ultimately earning a position in the World Class Athlete Program, or WCAP. WCAP is part of the US Army, so in addition to being part of a professional running team, Kibet also became a soldier.
Here, as a member of WCAP, Kibet also became the first athlete in the program to ever get pregnant. She faced in unknown future because the Army had no pregnancy policy for members of WCAP. But now because of Elvin Kibet, they do.
Kibet's story is highlighted in the new book All in Stride: A Journey in Running, Courage, and the Search for the American Dream, which also features the story of her husband, US Olympian Shadrack Kipchirchir, as well as Olympian Samantha Schultz. Undoubtedly after hearing Kibet's story here, you will be inspired to read the book.
This episode covers Elvin Kibet's running journey, from Kenya to the US; through college, to her first years as a professional runner to WCAP, and through to today, as she navigates the joys and empowerment she's discovered in motherhood. Kibet tells her story in terrific detail, with particularly fascinating insights into the challenges of becoming a professional runner, wherever you are in the world.
Keep Up with Elvin Kibet
Instagram: @elvinjkibet
Read All in Stride: A Journey in Running, Courage, and the Search for the American Dream
Publisher page: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538184592/All-in-Stride-A-Journey-in-Running-Courage-and-the-Search-for-the-American-Dream
Keep Up with All in Stride Author, Johanna Garton
Instagram: @johannagartonbooks
Music Credits
Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh
penguinmusic, via Pixabay
Coma-Media, via Pixabay
Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay
Rockot, via Pixabay
SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay
RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay
Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories
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Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com
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