Background
Masai was born in Chepkoya village, Mount Elgon District.She is the third born from a family of four.
long-distance runner marathon runner middle-distance runner
Masai was born in Chepkoya village, Mount Elgon District.She is the third born from a family of four.
She graduated in 1988.
She represented Kenya at the 2004 Summer Olympics. She is also known for reaching global top at the age of 35. Her track best of 8:23.23 minutes for the 3000 metres, set in 2002, remains the African record for the event.
She competed during her high school days while at Kibuk Secondary School.
She joined Kenya Prisons Service in 1990, known for recruiting many talented athletes. Consequently, she started training more seriously.
She improved upon this the following year, taking the gold at the 2002 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. International career
Masai holds the 3000 metres African record set in July 2002 in Monaco
In 2004 she failed at the Kenyan trials for the Olympics, but since she was one of only three Kenyans who had beaten the Olympic "A"-qualifying time in women"s 5000 metres that year, she was offered a place on the team
Masai herself initially rejected the offer, but joined the team after lengthy negotiations.
At the Olympics she dropped out suffering a hamstring injury. She finished fifth at the 10,000 metres race at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Her time, 30:30.26 was a new Kenyan record.
The record was beaten by Linet Masai at the 2008 Olympics, who run 30:26.50.
Masai has since been shifting from track running to marathon. lieutenant was also a personal best and a course record.
She also set a new 5000 metres Kenyan record of 14:33.84 minutes. Her time, 31:31.18 is a new World record for women over 40 years old.
The previous record was held by Nicole Lévêque of France, who run 32:12.07 in Helsinki in 1994. in 2007 and worked independently.
She currently lives in Ngong and Kitale,she coaches Kenya Prisons Cross Country team Kenya.