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Kenyan athletics legend and two-term Member of Parliament, Elijah Lagat, has passed away at 59, leaving behind a legacy of sporting triumph and dedicated public service.
Elijah Kiptarbei Lagat, the celebrated Kenyan marathon runner and former Member of Parliament, died on Monday night, September 29, 2025, at Eldoret Hospital in Uasin Gishu County. He was 59. Lagat had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after collapsing at his Elgon View home in Eldoret, where doctors diagnosed him with high blood pressure. His brother, Abraham Lagat, confirmed that while his condition had shown signs of improvement over the weekend, it worsened suddenly on Monday night.
Lagat's journey to national prominence and international acclaim began unconventionally. Born in Saniak, Nandi District, in 1966, he started running in 1993 at the age of 27, not with aspirations of athletic glory, but on a doctor's advice to lose weight. A physician had informed him he had "a lot of fat around his heart," prompting him to shed weight. He successfully reduced his weight from 71 kg in 1992 to 56 kg by the time of his Boston Marathon victory. This late start in competitive running, beginning in 1994, underscored his innate talent.
His athletic career saw him achieve significant milestones, including winning the 1997 Berlin Marathon with a personal best of 2:07:41 and the 1998 Prague Marathon. However, it was his victory at the 2000 Boston Marathon, where he edged out Ethiopia's Gezahegne Abera in a historic close finish, that cemented his place in athletics history. Lagat's win contributed to Kenya's record of ten consecutive individual men's Boston Marathon titles. He was initially selected for the 2000 Sydney Olympics marathon team but was controversially replaced, only to be reinstated after another athlete was injured. He started the Olympic race but did not finish, attributing it to overtraining.
After a distinguished athletics career, Lagat transitioned into politics. He first vied for the Emgwen Constituency parliamentary seat in 2002 on a KANU ticket but was unsuccessful. Undeterred, he made a successful comeback in the 2007 parliamentary elections, winning the Emgwen seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket. Following the redrawing of constituency boundaries, he successfully contested and became the first Member of Parliament for Chesumei Constituency in 2013, serving until 2017. During his time in Parliament, Lagat served as Vice Chairman of the Labour and Social Welfare Committee and Chairman of the Sports Sub-committee, among other roles.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang mourned Lagat, describing him as a distinguished leader who served with humility and a sporting legend who brought honour to the country. Governor Sang highlighted Lagat's commitment to dialogue and inclusivity as a legislator.
Lagat's passing marks the loss of a figure who successfully navigated the demanding worlds of elite sports and public service. His story of overcoming a health challenge to achieve greatness serves as an inspiration, while his political career demonstrated a commitment to community representation.
Tributes continue to pour in for the late Elijah Lagat, reflecting on his dual impact as a sporting hero and a dedicated public servant. His legacy is expected to inspire future generations of Kenyan athletes and leaders.
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