Athletics Kenya (AK) Kericho County First Vice Chairman Gabriel Kiptanui has urged athletes to embrace self-discipline, saying it is the cornerstone of winning races and achieving long term success in their running careers.
Addressing athletes following a training session at the Kericho Teachers Training College grounds in readiness of the 5th edition of the Betika Cross Country meet slated for October 10, Kiptanui said talent and motivation may spark a running journey, but true champions rely on structured discipline rather than emotions to reach the podium.
“You cannot operate on your moods to train. You wake up early at the time you have set for yourself and go for your training rather than saying ‘when I feel like waking up at 5am is when I will step onto the track and train.’ The more aggressive you are, the better the results and each time you will want to achieve even better.” said Kiptanui.
He cited world marathon record-holder Eliud Kipchoge as an example of an athlete who has consistently pursued personal best times and pushed the limits of his performance through self-discipline.
“Kipchoge’s success has been underpinned by non-negotiable habits and he has a structured training schedule, which have all helped him remain focused on his goals and consistently strive for better performance.” said Kiptanui.
Kenyan marathon star Eliud Kipchoge is continuing his ambitious seven-continent marathon tour, dubbed Eliud’s Running World which aims to see him compete in a marathon on every continent.
The two-time Olympic champion launched the initiative at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa in May 2026, where he finished 16th with a personal best time of 2:13:29.
He subsequently competed at the Porto Alegre Marathon in Brazil on July 12, finishing 12th in 2:18:42. Kipchoges next stop is in Australia on October 11 this year.
Kiptanui who doubles up as an athletics coach also advised athletes against comparing themselves with others, saying each runner has a unique journey and should instead focus on improving their own performance.
He said winning requires deep thinking, self-discipline and an unshakable game plan.
He said athletes taking part in the upcoming Betika race slated for October 10 should understand that it will be a highly competitive race, presenting a battle between temporary physical discomfort and long-term ambition.
“The upcoming Betika race is a competitive race. As an athlete you will see that in the 10km men’s race there might be over 500 athletes competing. If you lack self-discipline, you will struggle to maintain your pace, endure the pressure and even stay focused until the finish line. Self-discipline is what will help you remain committed even when the race becomes difficult and push towards achieving your target.” said Kiptanui.
Kiptanui urged the athletes to follow in the footsteps of Kericho-based reigning New York City Marathon champion Sheila Chepkirui, who trains daily and follows a structured training schedule despite her major marathon successes, saying her commitment demonstrates that past victories should not breed complacency but should instead drive athletes to set higher targets and work harder to achieve them.
Chepkirui began her running career in the 1500m and 3000m before gaining international recognition after winning gold in the 1500m at the 2005 World Youth Championships. She later won the African 5000m title and the New York City Marathon in 2024. Her career spans more than two decades has seen her accumulate several international medals, highlighting her consistency and longevity at the elite level.
More than 20 athletes, both seasoned and upcoming, attended the training session, where they were challenged to embrace discipline, consistency and mental toughness as they pursue success in their running careers.
by Sarah Njagi
