A month after rewriting her own 1500m record at the Paris Olympics, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon is headlining the Athlos NYC track event launched by Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian. Last week, notably the Kenyan middle-distance runner defended her Diamond League title. Speaking of Diamond League, do you know to whom Kipyegon dedicated her last year’s gold medal? She credited her husband and fellow athlete Timothy Kitum’s support for helping her clinch back-to-back championships.

Always keen on going the extra mile to support Faith Kipyegon’s track heroics, Kitum will surely be there in New York City to cheer her on. So how has Kitum been powering Kipyegon behind the scenes to strive for better? What are his laurels as a fellow middle-distance runner? Let’s find out.

Faith Kipyegon has the most supportive husband, Timothy Kitum

Faith Kipyegon and Timothy Kitum’s relationship blossomed through their shared passion for athletics, with Kitum revealing on Facebook that they started dating in 2013. The couple later married in a private ceremony in Eldoret, Kenya, in 2016. While Kitum’s athletic career peaked early with a bronze medal in the 800m at the 2012 London Olympics, his successes diminished in the years that followed. In contrast, Kipyegon’s career has continued to rise, achieving incredible milestones despite the demands of marriage and motherhood. Kitum’s steadfast support has likely been a key factor in helping Kipyegon stay focused and motivated as she reaches new heights in her athletic journey.

Stories have it that Timothy Kitum constructed a tartan track at home in Iten for Faith to practice. Besides, the 30-year-old would not have comfortably won a fourth gold medal for Kenya in Paris if it wasn’t for Kitum’s subtle support. As we all know, it was quite taxing for Kipyegon to see her 5,000m silver medal being disqualified, though it got reinstated. At that time, her husband instilled in her the spirit to give her best in the 1500m event. “The first person who talked to me for more than an hour is my husband. He told me, ‘You got this over the 1500m, and I believe in you,’” Faith Kipyegon said.

Since Kitum has always been a pillar to Kipyegon, she has dedicated some of her greatest medals to him. “I dedicate this gold medal to my husband. He has been supportive towards this success and being an amazing husband,” said Faith Kipyegon when she won the Diamond League last year. Now, how exactly does Kitum have such insight into Faith’s career to begin with?

Learn about Timothy Kitum’s athletic journey

Timothy Kitum represented Kenya as a teenager in 2011. At 17, Kitum made his debut for Kenya at the 2011 IAAF World Youth Championships in Lille, France, where he won a bronze medal in the 800m. The following year, having turned 18, the middle-distance runner secured a silver medal in the same competition. Kitum went on to compete in the 2012 London Olympics, where he claimed a bronze medal. He is now 29 years old.

Timothy Kitum had a dream Olympic debut at 18, securing a bronze medal in the 800m race at the 2012 London Olympics, finishing behind legends David Rudisha and Nigel Amos. This early success led experts to predict a bright future for the young middle-distance runner. However, despite his promising start, Kitum never made another appearance at the Olympic Games. Nevertheless, he has remained closely involved in athletics, offering steadfast support to his wife, Faith Kipyegon, as her career continues to soar. With the Athlos event approaching, all eyes will be on Kipyegon, while Kitum stands by her, supporting her pursuit of further success.