Elijah Lagat

Elijah Lagat
Personal information
NationalityKenyan
Born(1966-06-19)19 June 1966
Saniak, Nandi, Kenya
Died29 September 2025(2025-09-29) (aged 59)
Eldoret, Kenya
EducationUniversity of Eastern Africa, Baraton
Africa Nazarene University
OccupationPolitician
Sport
SportAthletics
Event
Marathon
Achievements and titles
Olympic finalsDNF
Personal best2:07:41

Elijah Kiptarbei Lagat (19 June 1966 – 29 September 2025) was a Kenyan marathon runner and politician who was the winner of the 104th running of the Boston Marathon held in 2000. He won in the closest finish in the race's history when he edged out Gezahegne Abera of Ethiopia and fellow Kenyan and previous year's champion, Moses Tanui. Abera and Lagat were both clocked at 2 hours 9 minutes and 47 seconds while Tanui finished three seconds back. Lagat's win enabled the Kenyans to capture the individual men's Boston Marathon title for the 10th straight year. This is a record that still stands.