Net worth, Training, Disqualified from Olympics, Records, Husband & head-to-head with Sifan Hassan

Faith Kipyegon has achieved immense success in athletics and this is what Pulse Sports gathered from her life beyond the track.

Faith Chepng’etich Kipyegon was born on January 10, 1994, in Bomet County, Kenya, and is undeniably one of the most renowned Kenyan middle- and long-distance runners.

She specialises in the 1500m and 5000m and is the current world record holder in the 1500m and the one mile.

Faith Kipyegon grew up in a family of nine siblings and not much is documented about her education but it is noted that she went to Winners Girls High School in Keringet, Nakuru County. Her international career took off when she won the World Junior Cross-Country Championships in 2011 and she continued to excel.

Some of her most notable performances include winning gold medals in the 1500m at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Faith Kipyegon is the only three-time champion in the event.

In this article, Pulse Sports delves into the lifestyle of Faith Kipyegon, analysing some of the achievements she has made and the setbacks she has encountered in the quest to become one of the world’s finest athletes.

Faith Kipyegon husband

Faith Kipyegon shares her life with her husband Timothy Kitum, a distinguished athlete in his own right.

Kitum was born on November 20, 1994, in Kapsowar, Elgeyo/Marakwet County, Kenya, and has made significant contributions to the world of track and field, both as a competitor and as a supportive partner to Kipyegon.

Timothy Kitum specialises in the 800m and gained international recognition at the 2012 London Olympics, where he secured a bronze medal with a personal best time of 1:42.53.

Their relationship has managed to blossom through their shared passion for athletics. They began dating in 2013 and married in a private ceremony in Eldoret, Kenya, in 2016. Their union has been blessed with a daughter, Alyn, born in June 2018.

Beyond chasing his dreams as an athlete, Kitum has been very supportive of her partner Kipyegon. In a number of interviews, Kipyegon has often credited her husband’s unwavering support as a significant factor in her achievements.

Together, Faith Kipyegon and Timothy Kitum represent a powerful alliance in the world of athletics, inspiring many with their dedication, resilience, and shared commitment to excellence.

Faith Kipyegon disqualified from Olympics

At the Paris Olympic Games, Faith Kipyegon faced a dramatic sequence of events during the women’s 5,000m final.

Kipyegon crossed the finish line second behind Beatrice Chebet but shortly after the race, officials disqualified Kipyegon for alleged obstruction involving Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay.

She was stripped of her silver medal with the race officials claiming that the incident happened after the race where Faith Kipyegon extended her right arm to contact Tsegay. Officials interpreted this action as obstruction, leading to Kipyegon’s disqualification.

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However, the Kenyan team took immediate action and Athletics Kenya promptly filed an appeal, contesting the decision. The appeal was reviewed and announced as a success with Faith Kipyegon’s medal being reinstated.

The reinstatement was a relief for Faith Kipyegon and her supporters, reaffirming her position as one of the premier athletes in middle-distance running. Later during the Olympic Games, she went on to make history as the first woman to win three consecutive titles in the 1500m.

Faith Kipyegon tribe

Faith Kipyegon hails from the Kalenjin ethnic group, a community renowned for producing world-class long-distance runners.

The Kalenjin people primarily reside in Kenya’s Rift Valley region and have a rich cultural heritage intertwined with athletics. The community has produced numerous Olympic and world champions. They have contributed to Kenya’s reputation in the world of athletics.

For Faith Kipyegon, growing up in a Kalenjin household she was the eighth of nine children. Her father, Samuel Kipyegon Koech, was a former 400m and 800m runner, while her mother, Linah Koech, also had an athletic background.

The familiar environment of running fostered her interest in running at a very young age. Her journey from a young girl in Kenya’s Rift Valley to a world-renowned athlete exemplifies Kalenjin’s enduring legacy in distance running. Her achievements continue to inspire many within her community and beyond.

Faith Kipyegon training

Faith Kipyegon attributes her remarkable success to a rigorous structured training regimen with her daily routine a testament to her dedication and discipline.

She trains primarily at the Kaptagat camp in Kenya’s Rift Valley which is also home to other elite athletes, including former marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge.

In preparation for major competitions, Faith Kipyegon has been known to train at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret. The location is at a high altitude and it provides an ideal environment for endurance training.

Kipyegon’s day begins at the crack of dawn with a spiritual grounding that sets a positive tone before she embarks on a morning run, covering approximately 10 kilometres.

Following a period of rest and recovery, Kipyegon undertakes a more demanding workout later in the day which includes interval training, tempo runs, or long-distance runs, depending on her training cycle.

Under the guidance of her coach, Patrick Sang, Kipyegon’s training is carefully periodized to peak at major competitions. This strategic approach ensures she maintains optimal performance levels throughout the season.

Faith Kipyegon records

Faith Kipyegon has established herself as one of the most exceptional middle-distance runners in history with her career being defined by a series of record-breaking performances.

On July 7, 2024, at the Diamond League meeting in Paris, Kipyegon shattered her own 1500m world record, clocking an astonishing time of 3:49.04.

Faith Kipyegon’s performance surpassed her previous record of 3:49.11, set at the 2023 Diamond League Meeting in Florence, Italy.

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She also set the mile world record at the mile race at the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco in 2023. She finished the race in 4:07.64 and this achievement not only highlighted her versatility but also her ability to excel across various middle-distance events.

Kipyegon also set the 5000m world record at the 2023 Diamond League Meeting in Paris, clocking a time of 14:05.20 to cross the finish line. However, Gudaf Tsegay bettered that time at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic.

Kipyegon has continued her dominance on the Olympic stage, winning the 1500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics in a time of 3:51.29.

Faith Kipyegon vs Sifan Hassan

Faith Kipyegon and Dutch woman Sifan Hassan have developed one of the most compelling rivalries in middle-distance running.

Their rivalry began in the mid-2010s and at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, China Kipyegon secured the silver medal in the 1500m, finishing ahead of Sifan Hassan, who took bronze.

Their rivalry has also extended to the Olympic Games. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Faith Kipyegon clinched the gold medal in the 1500m, while Sifan Hassan finished fifth.

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At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics saw both athletes at the peak of their powers with Kipyegon defending her 1500m title, while Hassan, who was attempting an ambitious treble in the 1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m, secured the bronze in the 1500 meters.

At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary provided another stage for their rivalry. Both athletes competed in the 5000 meters, with Faith Kipyegon winning the race as Sifan Hassan came in second.

The rivalry between Faith Kipyegon and Sifan Hassan has significantly enriched the world of athletics with their head-to-head battles elevating and inspiring fans globally.

Faith Kipyegon net worth

Faith Kipyegon has ascended to the pinnacle of middle-distance running and has not only won numerous titles but also significant financial rewards.

Her net worth is estimated to be around $5 million, with her primary source of income stemming from her impressive international competitions.

Her victories in events such as the Diamond League meetings and World Championships have earned her substantial prize money. For instance, in 2024, she earned approximately $270,000 from track events alone, including a $60,000 prize for winning the 1500 meters at a women-only event in New York.

In addition to prize money, Faith Kipyegon has received significant bonuses for her record-breaking performances.

Following her world records in the 1500m and 5000m in 2023, the Kenyan government awarded her about $50,000 for each record, totalling $100,000.

In 2023, following her stellar performances, President William Ruto awarded her a new three-bedroom house in Nairobi’s Parklands area, valued at approximately $60,000. Faith Kipyegon has also secured lucrative endorsement deals with Nike.

Faith Kipyegon has managed to maintain a relatively private lifestyle residing in Eldoret with her husband, fellow athlete Timothy Kitum, and their daughter, Alyn.