Marko Cheseto

Marko Cheseto is a Kenyan All-American athlete in track and field and cross country running. In 2019 he set a world record for a marathon by a double amputee.

Biography

Cheseto was born in Kapenguria, Kenya to Dickson, a local farmer. He is the third oldest of 11 children. Cheseto was raised in the village of Ptop, in the western Kenyan mountains. In 2006, he graduated from a two-year college in Nairobi and started working as a teacher.

Being always interested in running, Cheseto enrolled in a running academy in Eldoret, and started training twice daily. He had moderate success in local races, which raised the interest of American college recruiters. Michael Friess, the track and cross-country coach at the University of Alaska Anchorage who already had Kenyan David Kiplagat in his roster, offered Marko a full scholarship. Cheseto also began working at the university sports complex.

In 2009 and 2010, Cheseto raced to All-American status in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races. In 2010, he won the GNAC championship in both events.

On November 6, 2011, Cheseto went out of his home in the middle of a blizzard, dressed only with jeans and a light jacket. On an interview with ESPN, Cheseto claims to have no recollection of what happened after he walked out. When his roommates reported him missing, the police started searching for Cheseto.

At around 3 a.m. on November 9, Cheseto was found outside a hotel near campus. In 2018, he moved to Florida, became an American citizen, and began working for Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates of Orlando.