GEOFFREY MUTAI
Eldoret, Kenya
Bib #1
PRONUNCIATION: Jo-fri Moe-tai
AGE: 30 (10/7/81)
PERSONAL BEST: 2:03:02 (Boston, 2011) CR/World Best
WORLD MARATHON HIGHLIGHTS:
6Nov11 ING New York City Marathon 1st 2:05:06 CR
18Apr11 Boston Marathon 1st 2:03:02 CR/World Best
26Sep10 real,-Berlin Marathon 2nd 2:05:10
ADDITIONAL MARATHONS:
11Apr10 Fortis Rotterdam Marathon 2nd 2:04:55
11Oct09 Marathon Eindhoven 1st 2:07:01
12Apr09 Daegu Marathon 8th 2:10:45
12Oct08 Marathon Eindhoven 1st 2:07:50
30Mar08 Monaco Marathon 1st 2:12:40
CAREER NOTES:
Geoffrey Mutai ran the fastest marathon in history at last year’s Boston Marathon, prevailing against a highly competitive field without the aid of pacesetters. In a thrilling duel to the finish, Mutai outkicked his teammate Moses Mosop in the final meters to break the tape in a World’s Best 2:03:02 to Mosop’s 2:03:06. Never before in the sport had two men run the 26.2-mile distance with such speed.
Mutai led eight John Hancock-sponsored elite men under the 2:08 barrier over one of the world’s most difficult courses. He credited American Ryan Hall for pushing the pace and the lead pack throughout the historic run. Hall set a new American best and course record with his 2:04:58, fourth-place finish.
“I want to return to Boston to defend my title,” says Mutai. “I very much liked the race in 2011, because I made the best time ever run in the marathon.” After his Boston win, Mutai continued to break barriers as he notched a 2:05:06 course record this past fall in New York City. With that double crown, he became the first man in history to break course records in Boston and New York City in the same year.
Mutai has also won the Marathon Eindhoven twice and the Monte Carlo Marathon. At high altitude in Eldoret, Kenya in December 2007, Mutai ran 2:12:22 at a non-certified marathon. His half marathon best is 59:30, recorded in 2009 in Valencia. This year he has won the Kenyan Police Inter-Divisional Cross-Country Championships and the hilly San Blas Half Marathon in 1:03:53.
PERSONAL NOTES:
Mutai is the oldest of nine children and was born in the Koibatek District in the Rift Valley Province. He says that running came to him naturally as a youth, but that he had to overcome obstacles to continue his career. “There was a moment in my life that I considered to stop running,” says Mutai. “I had an injury and needed money, so I started a job. But later when I was injury free I decided to start again.” In 2007 Mutai made his marathon debut in Eldoret, Kenya, and his performance caught the eye of manager Gerard van de Veen. Mutai is married and has two daughters named Ivy and Marieke. His second child was born when he was competing last year at the B.A.A. Boston 10K, and she is named after his manager’s daughter who was assisting the athletes in Boston.
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