Dennis Kimetto and Emmanuel Mutai have had two epic battles during their careers and this year at Boston should prove no different. In 2013, the duo battled in Chicago with Kimetto winning by seven seconds and securing a 2:03:45 course record. The next fall in Berlin, Kimetto ran a perfect race to become the first person to break the 2:03 barrier and set a 2:02:57 world record. Mutai again was runner up, this time trailing by 16 seconds. Kimetto holds the 25K world record (Berlin Big 25K, 2012) and was the 2013 Tokyo Marathon champion. At the 2014 Boston Marathon, Kimetto had to drop late in the race due to injury. He says he plans to redeem himself this year. “The Boston Marathon is one of the most prestige marathons in the world,” says Kimetto. “This will be my second time in Boston and I hope to do better this year.”

Kimetto trains in Kapngnetuny, Kenya, with a large group of runners, including 2011 Boston champion Geoffrey Mutai. Kimetto is married to wife Caroline, and the couple has two sons. When he is not training, Kimetto is a farmer and raises cows. He helps build churches in his community and assists students with their school fees. “I also help young athletes who are at the start of their running career, because they are now like I also used to be in the past,” says Kimetto. “I know how important it is to be helped at the start, because in the future they are the world record holders and champions.” Kimetto said his nickname is ‘Mwafrica’.

“Focus on your personal goal in your race and don’t let anything come between you and this goal. My achievements have motivated many young people to accept challenges in their lives. Because of my results they see that anything is possible as long as you chase your dreams.”