Lonah Chemtai: Kenyan runner who went to Israel as a nanny now bagging medals

Kenyan athletes have proven to be the ‘shooting stars’ of Kenya, putting the country in the global map in worldwide championships.

Without diverse opinions, athletes are one unifying factor for Kenyans, who gather around to watch them race, and stand firmly to defend them when something comes in between them and the gold medals.

However, at some point, athletes have had to shift their allegiance to other countries.

Athletes who have renounced their Kenyan citizenship to compete for other countries include Stephen Cherono, Bernard Kipchirchir Lagat, Ruth Jebet, Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa among others.

The story of Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, who won the first marathon bronze for Israeli in the ongoing World Championships is one of a talented athlete, who left Kenya in search of a job outside the track.

Born in West-Pokot County, the 10,000m champion started running in Primary School and would participate in competitions even after advancing to high school.

“Moving on to high school, I tried several other sports including football, but after clashing heads with a player from another team, I decided I no longer wanted to play that sport,” she told World Athletics.

In 2009 Lonah left Kenya to be a nanny of the then ambassador to Israel. Two years later, she met Dan Salpeter, a former Israeli middle-distance and mountain runner who became her running coach.

Lonah and Salpeter fell in love and became a couple in 2014.

This was followed by a marriage ceremony held in Kenya in 2016 that granted her Israel Citizenship by virtue of being married to Salpeter.

“Slowly, I got into long distance running, but it was only after meeting my husband and coach, Dan Salpeter that I started to enjoy real success.”

In the ongoing World Championships taking place in Oregon, Lonah finished a time of 2:20:18, just two minutes behind Gotytom Gebreslase, and Kenya’s Judith Jeptum Korir.