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.  Then he turned around and beat it in 2021.  His smile is contagious and his story his awe-inspiring.  Learn more about his story, book him for a speaking event, or donate to his school in Kenya where he continues to build his legacy.

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Almost every day, you can find Marko on the Clay Loop in Clermont, FL. It’s a favorite among runners, but to Marko it reminds him of his childhood.  The clay streets of Ptop, a village situated in the western Kenyan mountains, where he was the third oldest of 11 children.

With an interest in running, Cheseto enrolled in a running academy in Eldoret, and started training twice daily. After finding moderate success, Michael Friess, the track and cross-country coach at the University of Alaska Anchorage offered Marko a full scholarship.

In 2008, 2009, and 2010, Cheseto won first place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  Marko was also an NCAA West Region champion in 2009 and 2010, and earned All-American status in 2008 and 2010. In addition, he was also named GNAC’s Male Athlete of the Year from 2008 to 2010, and West Region Male Athlete of the Year in 2009 and 2010.

An inspiring start to a story that was about to take a turn.

In February of 2011, the unexpected happened. Marko’s cousin, who had since joined him on the Alaskan running team, committed suicide. This left Marko suffering from depression.

On November 6, 2011, Marko went for a run in a blizzard and never returned back to his home.  Suffering from severe hypothermia and frostbite every moment became more dire.  56 hours after he left for a run, the search party found Marko outside of a hotel near campus.

A week of recovery later, Marko had to undergo surgery to amputate both of his legs.  But the story doesn’t stop here.

7 years after losing his legs, Cheseto competed in a marathon for the first time at the New York City Marathon in 2018.  Not only did he complete the marathon in under the average time for runners of over 4 hours, but became the second double amputee in history to finish in under 3 hours.

Then at the 2019 Boston Marathon, Marko set a world record for a marathon by a double amputee with a time of 2:42:24.

And then in 2021 at the New York Marathon, Marko beat his own record to hold the new world record for a marathon by a double amputee with a time of 2:35:55.

If you have heard his story or just read it for the first time above, then you know why you should book Marko Cheseto for your next event.  He loves to inspire others to fight through their depression, to overcome trials and tribulations when the unexpected happens, and to break through and exceed your own goals.  Fill out the speaking form and let Marko know the details of your event.

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Established in 2012, Alaskena is a Pre-K to 8 grade learning center with approximately 200 learners. Cheseto wants to help reduce gender inequality in his village. Having gone through a school system in Kenya and United States, education has been proved to be the best equalizer to address gender inequality.

Cheseto vision is to have ultramodern classrooms, library, computer lab, and a sports center to help young girls and boys nurture their talents.

At Alaskena, you can help enable a student go to school by sponsoring one for $30, this amount will cover three months or $90 for a whole year.

Plans are underway to start construction of modern classrooms in March, 2022. The goal is to raise $50,000 from friends and well wishers in order to build 10 fully furnished classrooms . A one dollar donation can go a long way. No amount is small. For $1, you can buy 1 building block, for $8, you can buy a back of cement, for $15, you can buy a roofing iron sheet and $600 for 25 tone sand truck. You can make your donation through our secure portal.

Together we can educate a child and make a difference in their life.

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