Who Is Edward Cheserek? Nationality, Parents, Religion, Ethnicity, Wife & More

Edward Cheserek’s journey from a remote Kenyan village to dominating American college running is nothing short of incredible. With 17 NCAA titles under his belt, many wonder what drives this quiet, relentless athlete. How did he turn raw talent into record-breaking success? And what’s next for the man known as “King Cheserek”? His story goes beyond medals; it’s about grit, faith, and chasing greatness on and off the track.

Who is Edward Cheserek?

Edward Cheserek, affectionately known as “King Ches,” is a trailblazer in collegiate running whose story begins on the sunbaked hills of western Kenya. Born on February 2, 1994, in the hamlet of Chepteran near Iten to a farming family belonging to the Marakwet tribe, part of Kenya’s famed Kalenjin community, he was raised by his mother, Dinah, and late father, Jacob. He grew up in Kapker, a remote village situated 2 miles above sea level, where life meant tending crops and running without electricity or running water.

At age 14, he made a bold move, leaving his family in pursuit of education and opportunity in New Jersey. Cheserek quickly stood out as one of America’s top high school distance runners, earning top recruitment honors. His impact exploded at the University of Oregon, where he became the most decorated male NCAA Division I athlete ever with 17 national titles across cross country, indoor, and outdoor track, surpassing legends before him. In his final indoor season, he added the 3,000m and 5,000m NCAA titles, claiming the record and crowning his collegiate reign.

Cheserek’s journey from Kenyan farm boy to Oregon legend is more than a sports story—it’s a tribute to grit, migration, and the quiet power of raw talent. Well, now was just a little intro, so let’s look at his details in deeply.

What is Edward Cheserek’s nationality?

Edward Cheserek is Kenyan by nationality, though he has been based in the U.S. since his mid-teens. Born in Chepteran, Iten, Kenya, he’s remained a Kenyan citizen.

At just 14, he moved to New Jersey after receiving a scholarship to attend Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School. Despite spending many years training and competing across the U.S., he has not yet become a U.S. citizen. As of 2025, he continues to represent Kenya in international competition.

In short, his heart and nationality remain Kenyan while his training ground, professional life, and growth have all flourished in the United States. But do you know his ethnicity and religion are still very rooted?

What are Edward Cheserek’s ethnicity and religion?

Edward Cheserek hails from the Marakwet, a well-known subgroup within the larger Kalenjin ethnic community of Kenya. The Kalenjin people, especially from the Rift Valley region, have a storied legacy of producing elite long-distance runners—Cheserek being one of their most celebrated among them.

As for his religion, there’s no publicly available information on whether Edward Cheserek practices any faith. Neither major biographical sources nor athletics profiles mention his religious beliefs. So for now, that part of his personal life remains private. So with that, let’s see if we can get any information about his parents.

Who are Edward Cheserek’s parents?

Edward Cheserek’s father, Jacob, served as a corporal in the Kenyan military; he has since passed away. His mother, Dinah, still lives in Kenya and raised Edward alongside his six siblings. He’s the fourth child and the only one who left Kenya.

Cheserek grew up on a small farm without electricity or running water, surrounded by steep hills. That harsh environment shaped his strength and his grit. His family’s sacrifices anchored his journey. When he left for New Jersey to pursue education and running in 2010, it wasn’t just a move—it was a leap of faith, backed by his parents’ hopes and rooted in years of simple, resilient living.

Today, every race he runs carries a part of his family’s story—of a little Kenyan farm, Jacob’s steady encouragement, and Dinah’s care and perseverance. Well, one thing that is clear about this is that he keeps his life private, and let’s see if he is married or not.

Who is Edward Cheserek’s wife or partner?

Edward Cheserek tends to keep details about his personal life private. But as reported by Olympics.com in 2024, Kenyan runner Sharon Lokedi, his wife, returned to the Big Apple last year for her title defence, where she lined up against Cheserek, who had also picked the New York course for his marathon debut.

If the other reports are to be believed, then the two have been together since 2015, and they met in Washington, DC. And in 2019, the couple got engaged in Hawaii. Beyond that, Cheserek appears focused on his running career and prefers to keep his personal life away from the spotlight. But one thing is clear  — his career, so let’s look at it.

Who is Edward Cheserek’s coach?

Edward Cheserek has been coached by Stephen Haas, founder of Total Sports U.S. Haas has played a pivotal role in guiding Cheserek’s transition from collegiate athletics to professional running. Under Haas’s mentorship, Cheserek has achieved remarkable feats, including a personal best indoor mile time of 3:49.44, placing him among the world’s elite milers.

Their partnership began in 2017 when Cheserek turned professional, and Haas has been instrumental in shaping his training regimen and race strategies. Training primarily in Flagstaff, Arizona, Cheserek has benefited from the high-altitude environment, which enhances endurance and performance.

Haas’ coaching philosophy emphasizes individualized training plans, focusing on maximizing each athlete’s potential. This approach has been evident in Cheserek’s progression, culminating in his debut at the 2023 New York City Marathon. Their collaboration continues to evolve, with Haas adapting training methods to suit Cheserek’s goals and the demands of marathon racing. Together, they aim to further elevate Cheserek’s career on the global stage. But what have these two achieved so far?

What are Edward Cheserek’s career highlights?

Edward Cheserek’s career highlights showcase a journey of incredible dominance and evolution. Between 2013 and 2017, he won 17 NCAA titles running for the Oregon Ducks, setting a record that cements his legacy in collegiate running. In 2019, he took home the Carlsbad 5000 title, proving his strength on the road, too.

Cheserek has impressive personal bests across multiple distances from the 1500 meters to the marathon—highlighting his versatility as a runner. Over time, he has smoothly transitioned from track races to longer marathon events, adapting his training and racing style. This shift shows his ambition to compete at the highest level in all forms of distance running.

His story is one of relentless progression, pushing boundaries beyond college success into professional excellence. Fans eagerly watch as he continues to grow in the marathon world, proving that his talent isn’t limited to just one track or distance.