Janeth Jepkosgei

Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei (born 13 December 1983) is a Kenyan middle distance runner and former world champion.

Early career Janeth, nicknamed "Eldoret Express" is from the Kenyan village of Kabirirsang, near Kapsabet. Famous athletes Wilson Kipketer and Wilfred Bungei are also from the same village. She started athletics while at Kapsumbeiywo Primary School and took several events. Since 1998 she attended Sing'ore Girls High School near Iten, famous for producing Kenyan women athletes. She won national secondary school championship in heptathlon, while still at form one. Her record from that event still stood in 2012.

In 2000 Jepkosgei won two gold medals at national secondary school championships, the events were 400 m hurdles and 800 m. At the East Africa Youth Championships held in the same year she won 400 m hurdles, while at 800 m she finished second. The same year, she took 800 m silver medal at the African Junior Championships, and the next year she took 800 m gold medal at the World Junior Championships in Kingston, Jamaica.

Jepkosgei made Kenyan History on 28 August 2007, where she won gold in the World Championship 800 m final in Osaka, becoming the first female Kenyan middle distance runner to achieve gold over 800 m.

On 24 May 2008 the 19-year-old Pamela Jelimo set a new Kenyan record of 1:55.76, beating the one previously held by Jepkosgei. Jelimo's dominance throughout the season prevented Jepkosgei from major victories, but won Olympic silver medal over 800 m.

She collided with Caster Semenya of South Africa such that Jepkosgei fell and finished last in her heat at the 2009 World Championships. However, after a successful protest, she was allowed to run in the semi-finals and eventually achieved silver medal, well behind the winner Semenya.

Jepkosgei started her 2010 season by a win at the Diamond League meeting in Shanghai, China.

Her father Michael Busienei was an 800 m runner, as is her younger brother Dennis Kiprotich.

Jepkosgei is now coached by Claudio Berardelli. Her manager is Federico Rosa.

Achievements

Personal best 800 metres – 1:56.04 (2007) 1000 metres – 2:37.98 (2002) 1500 metres – 4:02.32 (2011) One Mile – 4:28.72 (2008)