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Faith Kipyegon gifts her dad a car for Father’s Day

A record-breaking month for Kenya's Kipyegon culminates in a heartwarming gesture toward her father's dream

faith kipyegon fathers day

It has been a monumental month of June for Kenyan middle-distance runner Faith Kipyegon. In the last three weeks, she has broken two world records (1,500m and 5,000m) and has been celebrated for her efforts in her homeland, receiving many generous gifts. Kipyegon also gave a generous gift of her own, fulfilling a promise she made to her father on Father’s Day, giving him a brand-new car. 

Kipyegon was awarded a Toyota Vitz from an Eldoret-based car dealership, but she asked if she could have a Toyota Probox (van) instead for her father, who resides in Keringet, three hours south of Eldoret. The 30-year-old had previously expressed her desire to buy her father a car, and now, with the promise becoming a reality, she was deeply moved. Kipyegon praised the dealership for its kind actions and acknowledged that her dream of giving her dad a car was a powerful motivator for her to achieve greatness.

She stated, “It has motivated me to work hard and break more records. I will continue to inspire young people and mothers worldwide, showing them that anything they desire is possible.”

On June 2 at the Florence Diamond League meet in Italy, Kipyegon became the first woman to run under 3:50, running 3:49.11 to break Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba’s 1,500m world record. A week later, at the Paris Diamond League, she recorded a 5,000m world record time of 14:05.20, beating the former record holder, Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, in a heroic final lap performance.

Faith Kipyegon
Faith Kipyegon at 2022 The Prefontaine Classic Wanda Diamond League in Eugene, Ore. Photo: Kevin Morris

The dealership applauded Kipyegon’s remarkable achievements and expressed their unwavering support for Kenyan athletes who consistently bring pride to the nation. “We have rewarded your father because you have shown us that there are no limits to what we can achieve,” said the Rana Auto Motors CEO Sulta Rana to local news. “We are doing this for Kenya because we are proud of our athletes’ accomplishments.”

 

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