The Grace to Grass story of European Club Championship Record Holder Anthony Kiprono

He was one of the most talented runners of all time and best remembered for his athletic exploits, especially in middle-distance races. But today, Anthony Kiprono leads a squalid life.

His lifestyle best exemplifies the sad ‘riches to rags’ story that is not new among former athletes.

The glittery trophies kept in his old house, dusty medals hanging from the walls and their generally unkempt dressing aptly captures his glorious past.

This also paints the grim picture of the life led by some world-record-beating Kenyan athletes despite having won millions from lucrative competitions in the past.

Kiprono’s Roots

Kiprono was born in 1973 in Kobil Village, Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County. He grew up immersed in Kenya's rich running culture and later achieved international success.

He attended Sing’ore Primary School before moving to Marakwet High School where he shared the track with luminaries like Vincent Malakwen, Ishmael Kirui, Richard Chelimo, Raymond Iyator, and Moses Kiptanui. They competed during schools competitions and even traveled abroad for competitions together.

Early on, his talent was evident. In Form Two, he competed in the World Junior Championships in Bulgaria, where he placed fifth in the 5,000m, a promising start that signaled his future potential on the global stage.

Running on the Global Stage

Kiprono's career soon saw him representing Kenya at the World Cross-Country Championships and winning major international races.

Notably, he set a world record at the Cherry Blossom 10km Road Race in Washington DC, finishing in 46:29. In Europe, he competed in the Gateshead 8km race in Wales, clocking in at 22:29.

Kiprono’s exceptional pacing abilities led him to be a pacemaker for John Baker during the Birmingham Games, helping him (Baker) qualify for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Image Credits: Tabby Nashipae

He notched several prestigious victories, including the British Grand Prix 3,000m race and the French Grand Prix cross-country event. In 1992, he set a European Club Championship in the 3,000m race in Birmingham after clocking 7:28.

That record was followed by a victory at the Crystal Palace Asheville 10,000m race.

His impressive track record earned him a scholarship at the St Mary’s University in England where he studied Social Ethics and Long-Distance Running. He would study and compete in England, and fly to Kenya during major championships.

He later moved to France to coach the Teaching Saucony Club, which was renowned as one of the best clubs globally. Kiprono’s talent caught the eye of Walter Amber, who signed him to the Running Puma Team.

Where Did the Rain Start Beating Kiprono?

When we visited him at his home near Sing’ore Girls’ Secondary School in Keiyo North, he was seated outside, quietly basking in the sun as the day drifted by.

It was one of those days when no manual jobs were available, leaving him with little to do but watch the world pass. Looking weather-beaten but speaking eloquently, Kiprono granted SportsBoom.com an interview immediately after we introduced ourselves.

“Help me out of this situation. I am a frustrated man even after making a name for this country. My wife swindled me of all my money and left me in poverty,” he said.

“I now do manual jobs here and there to earn Sh200 or Sh300, which helps me buy a tin of maize and some household items. I burnt logs for charcoal to pay nursery school fees for my child. Life is hard. It’s just terrible. I need help,” Kiprono offered.

In the village, he is known as Puma after the international company that used him in his heyday to promote the sportswear brand. He has turned to leasing his farm to generate income and cover essential expenses, including his children’s school fees.

“I helped pay my wife’s fees at the teacher’s college she attended, and she later ditched me. I have sold my tractor to support my siblings. Because of the stress, I took to drinking,” he averred.

Kiprono's tribulations today are similar to the disappointments he experienced at the IAAF World Cross-country Championships in France in 1993 when he finished 30th. Paul Tergat finished 10th, while William Sigei, Dominic Kirui, and Ismael Kirui swept the podium.

In 1998, Kiprono returned to Kenya, but his career faced a major setback when his manager, Kim McDonald, passed away from a heart attack while on holiday in Brisbane in 2001.

This tragic event marked the end of Kiprono’s competitive career. McDonald had been a key figure in managing his schedule and securing competition deals abroad. With his manager gone, Kiprono struggled to maintain his athletics career.