Catherine Ndereba: Our Great Marathoner and Road Racer 

Born Wincatherine Nyambura Ndereba, Ndereba had a deer’s legs from as early as her teenage girl days. She was swift to task and finished her walking chores using half the time her siblings spent on the same tasks. 

As Fast as a Deer 

Ndereba was a fast runner from her primary school days. She had picked this speediness from her father who had won Gatung’ang’a village races successively. By the time she was joining Ngorano Secondary School, it was clear that she was set to pursue athletics as a career. Her fleet-footedness saw her try out and win races on arduous courses that had women and men opting out. Gradually, she exerted her dominance even at the secondary school national sports levels.  

Joining Kenya Prisons Service 

This outstanding performance made Ndereba one scout’s interest. The scout spotted and handpicked her to join the Kenya Prisons Service who were unbeatable in sports then. So, in 1994, immediately after clearing secondary school, she joined the Prisons Training College where her athletic spotlight shone in one direction: representing the prisons service and country nationally and internationally. 

International Sports Appearance 

In 1995, Ndereba made her international sports debut in the women’s relay at Seoul, South Korea. The following year, she entered 18 races and won 13 of them, leading to her being named Road Racer of the Year by Runner’s World and Running Times Magazine.  

Ndereba’s steady progress reached its ultimate crescendo in 2001. She tore through the Chicago landscape at a stunning 2:18:47, breaking the women’s marathon world record, an achievement that delights her heart to date.  

A Woman of Many Firsts 

From there, Ndereba’s name became synonymous with firsts. She was the first Kenyan women to win in Boston, as well as the first four-time Boston Marathon women winner in 2005. Back home, Ndereba’s excellence was also recognised and celebrated. She became Kenya’s sportswoman of the years 2004 and 2005 and was awarded the Order of the Golden Warrior in 2005 as well. 

Catherine the Great 

Ndereba’s accomplishments put her name in many mouths and publications. In 2008, she was described by a Chicago Tribune sportswriter as the greatest women’s marathoner of all time. 

Ndereba continued displaying her greatness until 2015 when she retired. In 2023, Ndereba served as the Head of Sports Department Coordinators at Kenya Prisons where she mentored young athletes. For her tenacity, Ndereba is the epitome of resilience and the embodiment of what happens when one pursues that which they are talented in with focus and unwavering belief in self.