Kenyan Marathon Runner in US Stuns with Record-Breaking Win at New York City Marathon, Sparking Diaspora Pride

Country: United States
Date Published: November 28, 2025

New York, NY – In a triumphant moment for the Kenyan diaspora, Eliud Kiptoo, a 32-year-old marathon runner based in Colorado Springs, crossed the finish line first at the 2025 New York City Marathon on Sunday, shattering the course record with a blistering time of 2:04:12. The victory, which lit up X (formerly Twitter) with over 50,000 reposts and trending under #KiptooNYCMarathon, has been hailed as a beacon of resilience for Kenyans living abroad amid economic hardships back home.

Kiptoo, who moved to the US in 2019 on a sports scholarship, dedicated his win to his family in Eldoret, Kenya, posting a heartfelt thread on X shortly after the race: "From training on dusty roads in Kenya to owning the streets of NYC. This is for every Kenyan hustling abroad – dreams don't expire!" The post, shared by verified accounts like @CitiFMKenya and influencer @KenyansAbroad, garnered reactions from celebrities including Eliud Kipchoge, who replied, "Proud of you, brother. Kenya runs the world." Discussions exploded with users sharing stories of their own sacrifices, blending celebration with calls for better support for diaspora athletes.

The win wasn't without controversy, as X users debated the role of US sponsorships in Kenyan running dominance. Some regular tweeters accused federations of exploiting athletes' talent without fair compensation, with one viral thread from @DiasporaWatchKE reading: "Kiptoo's record is fire, but when do these guys get real ownership of their wins? US teams cash in, Kenya gets the glory pic." Others countered with positivity, highlighting how such victories boost remittances – Kenya received over $4 billion from the diaspora last year, per World Bank data cited in threads.

As Kenyans abroad continue to dominate global athletics, Kiptoo's feat underscores the diaspora's outsized impact. Event organizers confirmed a $100,000 prize, part of which Kiptoo pledged to a Kenyan youth running program. X conversations have since pivoted to speculation on his next race, with #TeamKenyaAbroad trending into Monday, reflecting a mix of unbridled joy and pointed critiques of the athlete migration pipeline.