“Boston has become my city,” says Salel. “I have had success here in the shorter distances like the 10K and Half Marathon. It is about time to try myself on the classic marathon course as well.” Salel won the silver medal in the 10,000m at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the gold medal in the 3,000m at the 2007 World Youth Championships. He won the B.A.A. Half Marathon in 2015 and 2016 and was named the B.A.A. Distance Medley champion in 2015. His best half marathon (1:00:41), 10K (27:41) and 5K (13:27) were all recorded in Boston races.

Salel trains in Chirchir-Centre, near Kaptagat, with a strong group of marathon runners including Emmanuel Mutai, Lucas Rotich, Bernard Kipyego, Eliud Kipchoge and Stephen Kiprotich. Salel was born in Narok and is part of the Masai tribe. Because there were not a lot of long distance runners in Narok, Salel went to live with his uncle in Iten. There he attended Saint Francis school in Kimuron, and joined the summer training camps of Brother Colm O’Connell. Salel attended the same high school as Olympian David Rudisha. He is married to Vivian Salel and the couple has two children: Joy and Brian.

“Running has put perspective in my life. It shows me where to go and which next step to take.”