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Elijah Lagat, a celebrated Kenyan marathon runner and former Member of Parliament, passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Eldoret Hospital after a short illness. His remarkable journey from overcoming a heart condition to achieving international athletic glory and serving in politics leaves a significant legacy.
Elijah Kiptarbei Lagat, born on June 19, 1966, in Saniak, Nandi District, embarked on an extraordinary path to athletic success driven by a personal health challenge. In the 1980s, a doctor advised him to lose weight due to a heart condition caused by being overweight. This pivotal moment spurred Lagat to begin jogging in 1993 and compete professionally in 1994 at the age of 27, an unusually late start for an elite athlete.
His dedication led to a significant weight reduction, from 71 kg in 1992 to 56 kg by the time of his Boston Marathon victory. Lagat quickly rose to prominence, securing his first major international win at the 1997 Berlin Marathon with a personal best time of 2:07:41. He followed this with a victory at the 1998 Prague Marathon.
Lagat's most iconic achievement came in 2000 when he won the 104th Boston Marathon in a thrilling finish, clocking 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 47 seconds, narrowly beating Ethiopia's Gezahegne Abera and fellow Kenyan Moses Tanui. This victory marked Kenya's tenth consecutive men's Boston Marathon title, a record that still stands. He was initially selected for the 2000 Sydney Olympics marathon team but was later replaced, though he eventually participated but did not finish, attributing it to overtraining.
After a distinguished athletics career, Lagat transitioned into politics. Encouraged by friends, he first vied for the Emgwen Constituency parliamentary seat in the 2002 general elections on a KANU ticket but was unsuccessful. Undeterred, he made a successful comeback in 2007, winning the Emgwen seat on an ODM ticket.
Following the redrawing of constituency boundaries, Lagat successfully contested and became the first Member of Parliament for the newly created Chesumei Constituency in 2013, serving until 2017. Throughout his political career, Lagat was known as a people-centered leader who emphasized dialogue and consultation. At the time of his death, he was serving as a board member at the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
Lagat was admitted to Eldoret Hospital on Friday, September 26, 2025, after collapsing at his Elgon View home in Eldoret. He was diagnosed with high blood pressure and placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). While his condition reportedly improved over the weekend, he passed away on Monday night, September 29, 2025, at the age of 59.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang mourned Lagat as a distinguished leader and a great athlete whose dedication and humility inspired many. Governor Sang highlighted Lagat's commitment to dialogue and inclusivity as a legislator and his role in elevating Kenya's name globally through his athletic achievements.
The passing of Elijah Lagat marks the end of an era for a figure who seamlessly transitioned from a celebrated athlete to a dedicated public servant. His legacy is likely to continue inspiring future generations of Kenyan athletes and leaders. Further tributes and details regarding his funeral arrangements are expected from his family and political associates.
