Wilson Chebet returns to Boston for a fifth attempt at the coveted olive wreath after making the podium twice. “My goal is to win this race,” says Chebet. “In 2012 the race was about surviving the heat, while 2014 and 2015 was about tactical decisions.” With ten podium showings, including an impressive sub-2:06 three-peat at the Amsterdam Marathon and wins in Rotterdam and Honolulu, Chebet ranks among the world’s best marathoners. He says, “Winning my first marathon in Rotterdam was the pivotal moment for me, because from the experience I understood the power of confidence, and began believing in myself as an athlete, and believing that I could win any race in the world.” In the half marathon distance, Chebet has run four sub-60-minute races and nine sub-61-minute races.

Nicknamed “Mr. Amsterdam” by his Dutch fans in the Netherlands, Chebet says he is known for his marathon wins and pacing duties in that country. He grew up in an athletic family and is the cousin of steeplechaser Moses Kiptanui and brother of marathoner Joseph Biwott. Chebet attended Lelan High School in Kaptalanwa. He says, “I started training in 2004 after being encouraged by my older brother, Joseph Biwott. Like many Kenyan athletes, I started running because I had a dream. My dream was to bring glory to my family, friends, training partners, and my country. I also saw running as a real possibility to support my family and maybe earn enough to change our lives.” Chebet is married to wife Caroh, and the couple has a daughter named Keira and boys named Kemboi and Keagan. With his prize earnings, Chebet has invested in farming and real estate, in Eldoret, Marakwet, and Cherangani counties. He also designs training programs for his running group of over 120 athletes in Eldoret.

“To succeed you need to be strong and determined, and you need to give a lot of yourself. Set goals, run, persevere, run again… and watch your life change for the better. The Boston Marathon and the people of Boston are like that.”