Gladys Cherono has only run two marathons, but her results make her the seventh-fastest female marathoner of all time. In her 2015 debut, she finished runner-up in Dubai, almost breaking the 2:20 barrier. In the fall, she won Berlin in 2:19:25, which was the third fastest women’s time on the course and the fastest marathon of the year. In 2014, she won the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and in 2013, she won the silver medal at the IAAF World Championships 10,000m. In 2012, Cherono was the first woman to win both the 10,000m and 5,000m at the African Championships. She holds personal bests of 30:29.23 for the 10,000m and 14:47.12 for the 5,000m. Her fastest half marathon is 1:06:06, run at the 2016 Ras Al Khaimah International Half Marathon. She has recorded three half marathons under 1:07:00 and six under 1:09:00.

When Cherono made her marathon debut, it was the third fastest debut of all time. Cherono trains with Mary Keitany and is coached by Gabriele Nicola, who also coached 2012 Boston Marathon champion Sharon Cherop. Cherono is currently training in Iten, Kenya, and works for the Kenyan army.

“I am expecting a tough challenge in Boston, but I am aiming to win the race.”