Kipchoge Keino was born in 1940 as part of the Nandi tribe in Kenya. He was a policeman and won nearly all the competitions
he represented the police in. In the eleven years after he left the force in 1962, Kip won the adoration of other Kenyans
by attaining fame through the breaking of many world records. In 1962, he broke the Kenyan one mile race record. When the
Olympics of 1964 were held in Tokyo, Keino represented Kenya and placed 5th in the 5000-meter event. This was the first time
Kenya had been represented at the Olympics, having only recently become independent. Later that same year, he set records in
the 5000-meter event as well as in the 3000-meter event. Kip's time in the 5000-meter event was 13 minutes and 24.2
seconds, and 7 minutes and 39.6 seconds in the 3000-meter event.
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At the first and second African Games (1964 and 1965), Keino won both the 5000-meter event and the 1500-meter
event. In 1966, he won the 1- and 3-mile events at the Commonwealth Games.
Kip Keino is best known for his record time of 3 minutes and 34.9 seconds for the 1500-meter
race in the 1968 Olympics, held in Mexico City. Prior to the race, Keino had to run a mile to the stadium when his taxi
got stuck in traffic. In addition, he recieved the silver medal for the 5000-meter race, even though he was suffering from
an gallbladder infection. Kip won his second gold medal in the 3000-meter steeplechase, as well as the silver medal in the
1500-meter race. Both medals were won at the 1972 Munich Olympics. In 1973, Kipchoge retired from running.
kipkeinotraining.org
Kipchoge Keino Children's Home
Kip, having grown up in Kenya himself,
felt that he should be doing something to help the numerous homeless children. Using the money he had won from
athletic competitions, as well as donations from many of his international friends, Keino and his wife, Phyllis, opened
the Kipchoge Keino Children's Home in Eldoret, Kenya. The home is run from Kip and Phyllis' farm. There are currently
about 80 children of various ages living at the Home, and more than 100 others have moved out after graduating to make their
own way.
