Caroline Rotich

thumb|Caroline Rotich in 2015 Caroline Rotich (born 13 May 1984) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in half marathon and marathon races. She has won the Las Vegas Marathon, New York Half Marathon and the Boston Marathon. She represented Kenya at the World Championships in Athletics in 2011 and has personal bests of 2:23:22 for the marathon and 1:09:09 for the half marathon. Quotes We went to like the last sprint and I knew that this was going to be the toughest sprint so I waited and waited so sprinting that I was like I have to go for it or give it everything I have. CBS Boston, "Kenya's Caroline Rotich Wins Thrilling Women's Boston Marathon", WBZ News, April 20, 2015. That was like the greatest thing I've ever felt. I feel so happy and grateful to do it here in Boston. CBS Boston, "Kenya's Caroline Rotich Wins Thrilling Women's Boston Marathon", WBZ News, April 20, 2015. I thought, ‘Oh, I’m going to get second,’ but then realized quickly that she still had a shot. “I saw the finish and thought, ‘Oh, I can kick; I have a chance to win today. Erin Strout, "Caroline Rotich is the 2015 Boston Marathon Champion", Runners World, April 20, 2015. My coach used to tell me, 'If you win big races, your life is going to change,'... So I was a little prepared, and I'm having fun with it, but you really don't know what it's like until you're there. Scott Douglas, "Surprise Boston winner Caroline Rotich is fit and ready for New York", Runners World, October 29, 2015. I was trying to help some of the Kenyans coming there to learn Japanese...But I decided I wanted to be more serious about running and make it my job. I felt like I was not going to reach my goals if I stayed there (Japan). Scott Douglas, "Surprise Boston winner Caroline Rotich is fit and ready for New York", Runners World, October 29, 2015. I didn't start training for the marathon when I was 20, 21, 22, like a lot of the women now...The other thing is that I didn't want to run marathons just because it was the thing to do. I felt like I wanted to do it only when I was ready to do it well. Scott Douglas, "Surprise Boston winner Caroline Rotich is fit and ready for New York", Runners World, October 29, 2015. I love racing in New York...I know [the marathon course] is not as fast as some of the other races, but sometimes you have to feel it in your heart. You go where you want to be. Scott Douglas, "Surprise Boston winner Caroline Rotich is fit and ready for New York", Runners World, October 29, 2015. Returning to Pittsburgh as the defending champion is really special to me....Last year (2022) was my first time in the city and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. The best part of the race is seeing all the amazing spectators on the course, regardless of the weather. My goal this year is to win the race again and see how far I can push my limits. "Wesley Kiptoo and Caroline Rotich Aim to Defend Titles at the 2023 UPMC Health Pittsburgh Half Marathon", Running USA, March 30, 2023. It feels great to win my first race ever in Pittsburgh...It was so great seeing all the people on the course and cheering despite the rain. I can’t wait to be back! "Kenyan runners Wesley Kiptoo and Caroline Rotich Set Course Records at 2022 Pittsburgh Half Marathon", MyBestRuns.com, 02 May 2022. This will be my first time coming to Pittsburgh...It’s always exciting to travel to new places and Pittsburgh has been on my bucket list. I’m motivated to capitalize on my training this spring, rather than refocus on another marathon. I am feeling fit and ready to run fast in Pittsburgh. "Aliphine Tuliamuk, Jared Ward, Caroline Rotich and Abdi Abdirahman are ready to race the streets of Pittsburgh", MyBestRuns.com, 21 April 2022. The great feelings, I still have it. Lots of memories...It’s good to be back, back where I started. Not where I started running, but where I started to run well. Chris Lotsbom, "2015 Boston Marathon Champ Caroline Rotich Savors Return to Boston for Sunday’s B.A.A. Half-Marathon", LetsRun.com, 10 October 2015. It’s crazy. When I won the Boston Half, it’s when I was new. I had just started training with my coach and I saw that my training is paying off and all that stuff. Since then I kept going to races and getting better and better. This is where it all started, that year was when we started to get better...I’m excited. I love it here. Chris Lotsbom, "2015 Boston Marathon Champ Caroline Rotich Savors Return to Boston for Sunday’s B.A.A. Half-Marathon", LetsRun.com, 10 October 2015. I can tell you, my coach used to tell me ‘If you win Boston or big races like that, your life is going to change and everything is going to change.’ I was like ‘Oh yeah. I don’t think too, too much.’ But I can tell you it has changed a lot. Everywhere you go people stop and talk to me and say good luck, and want to know more about running...That’s one thing — I’m more inspired by it. Just how people are really into it, knowing it and wanting [to run more]. I go to the store and people stop me and that’s really good. It keeps me going. Chris Lotsbom, "2015 Boston Marathon Champ Caroline Rotich Savors Return to Boston for Sunday’s B.A.A. Half-Marathon", LetsRun.com, 10 October 2015. Coming back, every time is good and awesome...offering up some last minute advice. Make sure you have enough energy and are feeling yourself and know how much you still have left to go on the hills… Pace yourself. Chris Lotsbom, "2015 Boston Marathon Champ Caroline Rotich Savors Return to Boston for Sunday’s B.A.A. Half-Marathon", LetsRun.com, 10 October 2015. This was the biggest win of my career so far Rotich and Toroitich collect Marathon wins in Las VegasWorld Athletics(December 07,2009) At 20 miles they were far away from me I decided to run my own race Rotich and Toroitich collect Marathon wins in Las VegasWorld Athletics(December 07,2009) At 25 miles I thought, you have to go, you can win! Rotich and Toroitich collect Marathon wins in Las VegasWorld Athletics(December 07,2009) Actually, that was the first time that has ever happened to me because I always go with the group Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) I was actually wishing I could go back and wait for the group and then go with them again. In that spot I didn’t really know what to do, but my body told my mind that I could go and see what happened by running my own race in front Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) My mind was ready because someone can always come up from behind Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) When they came, I was ready. I didn’t freak out because I was prepared for that. When they came up but didn’t go by me, I was able to sit back, recover a little bit, and then go for the win Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) Those two races have made me feel like I can run from anywhere and be confident with what I am doing Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) Since I got back here, I have been training with my coach to run from anywhere and be able to hold it and keep going. It gives me a confidence that I don’t have to have someone there like pushing me. I just have to be able to run my race Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) The marathon is a long race to go and try and lead from the start Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) Of course, I will always talk to my coach and see what each race looks like. But knowing myself and no matter what the pace is that I can hold it is giving me a new outlook when I go to a race. If I feel it is slow I can go, or I can hold back and run with the group Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) The way I ran my PR in Chicago, I feel like I can do more in the marathon Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) Chicago taught me that when your body and your mind tell you something during the marathon, sometimes you have to follow that because you don’t know when it is going to shut down. I learned that when I feel like I can push from wherever after the half, then it is better to do that. I think I held back a long ways in Chicago and by the time I tried to go, everyone was recovered and we only ended up dropping each other. Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) I am very much looking forward to seeing what happens in Prague Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) If I win, it is going to be great, but if I am able to go out and run my PR, I think it is going to be even more great. I am going in with those two goals and trying to be ready for everything Already A Winner In NYC And Washington, Caroline Rotich Hopes For Prague VictoryLetsRun.com(May 10, 2013) This win gives me a good platform for my future marathon career. Every marathon is different. In Prague I really enjoyed the atmosphere and I would like to come back next year Kemboi and Rotich claim good wins in Prague MarathonWorld Athletics(May 12,2013) When I was training and for the last month and a half my coach kept telling me,You are in good shape Rotich, Kemboi Victorious At Prague MarathonLetsRun.com(May 12, 2013) I came here trying to run a really good time and to see what I can do. At the halfway, I looked at my watch and saw that it was 72 (minutes) and I was like, ‘Ugh! This is a little bit slow.’ I knew sometimes in a marathon, if I push hard in the second half I can make it up. Rotich, Kemboi Victorious At Prague MarathonLetsRun.com(May 12, 2013) For sure, I was surprised that nobody covered my move Rotich, Kemboi Victorious At Prague MarathonLetsRun.com(May 12, 2013) I was trying to push there so I can see what we can do. After we pushed, I heard one of the ladies telling the pacemaker that it was a little too fast. I was like, ‘Are you serious?’ I thought everyone was trying to go for a course record Rotich, Kemboi Victorious At Prague MarathonLetsRun.com(May 12, 2013) I woke up like someone else today Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) I was just the normal me, and I want to get out there and train hard again. Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) He was an inspiration Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) He advised me how to start racing, and when I dropped out of a marathon he was the one telling me to go back, to keep going. Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) Actually we had known the training was going well so it was not much of a surprise Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) but we never knew what was going to happen in the race Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) I didn’t see the finish tape Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) It seemed far away, so I said I’ll wait, thinking I will hold back. Once I saw [the finish tape], 50 metres from the end, I said ‘okay, I have to do it right now. Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) I haven’t watched it yet. I have to sit down and look at it, but I feel like I gave everything Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) I wanted to finish and give everything I could Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) A lot of people in Kenya don’t believe you can train there Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) but I have been patient and shown you can train in the US, and win too Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) I’m still a [Kenyan] citizen so if I can get a chance to represent them, I would be happy to do that. If I qualify for Rio, I will race Caroline Rotich, with late Sammy Wanjiru as inspiration, wins Boston Marathon, by Cathal DennehyRunBlogRun( April 1, 2022) I got to the last corner and I saw the finish line tape and I thought this is it, I'm not going to let it go Lelisa Desisa Wins 119th Boston Marathon; Rotich Takes Women's RaceCBSNews(April 20, 2015 ) I was like, 'No, not today.' And I kept going Lelisa Desisa Wins 119th Boston Marathon; Rotich Takes Women's RaceCBSNews(April 20, 2015 ) The thing I learned from last year is that it’s not over until it’s over Defending women’s champ Caroline Rotich will go with flowBostonGlobe.com(April 16,2016) I don’t always look at individual people. I just go with the race and how it develops Defending women’s champ Caroline Rotich will go with flowBostonGlobe.com(April 16,2016) It feels great to win my first race ever in Pittsburgh Kiptoo, Rotich Set Course Records at 2022 UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half MarathonRunning USA(May 02, 2022) It was so great seeing all the people on the course and cheering despite the rain. I can’t wait to be back! Kiptoo, Rotich Set Course Records at 2022 UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half MarathonRunning USA(May 02, 2022) My favorite memory is sprinting for victory on Boylston Street Afghan Women Runners Are Holding "Underground Runs" in Solidarity With Women Back HomeRun( August 31, 2026) That final 400 meters is the best 400 meters of any marathon in the world Afghan Women Runners Are Holding "Underground Runs" in Solidarity With Women Back HomeRun( August 31, 2026) Winning Boston validated years of hard training and racing Afghan Women Runners Are Holding "Underground Runs" in Solidarity With Women Back HomeRun( August 31, 2026) That moment was years in the making and remains the most pivotal moment of my career Afghan Women Runners Are Holding "Underground Runs" in Solidarity With Women Back HomeRun( August 31, 2026) External links Category:Living people Category:Women from Kenya Category:1984 births Category:Women born in the 1980s Category:Runners Category:Women in sports