Running with a Purpose: Gilbert Kigen is Chasing Championships for the Crimson Tide

Gilbert Kigen's lengthy journey from Kipkabus, Kenya, to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has only fueled his desire for excellence

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Everyone has a different reason for running.

Some run for something, such as weight loss or peace of mind. 

Some run to something, like the car when late for work or to shelter when it rains. 

Some run because of something, perhaps to honor a loved one or remember a cause. 

Alabama distance runner Gilbert Kigen runs for a different reason.

Born in Kipkabus, Kenya, a settlement in the nation’s Uasin Gishu County, located in the former Rift Valley Province, the graduate student had not always been a runner. A long-time supporter of Arsenal Football Club in England and Spanish giants Real Madrid, Kigen has always been a connoisseur of soccer. 

Seemingly with a ball at his feet since birth, Kigen’s love for the beautiful game ultimately inspired his love of running. During exercises and practices for soccer, he might be asked to run a mile, a distance that many of us think is more than enough. 

That was simply not the case for Kigen, however. It was through competitions held by his school in Eldoret that he discovered the gift he had for running.

“My junior year in high school was the first time I represented my school,” Kigen said. “I started by doing a 5k. I didn’t perform well the first year, but senior year I went to county’s which is like regionals. From there, I went for a training camp not far from where I come from. I wasn’t as fast when I started, I didn’t have a plan to come here but my parents told me to try, if I can, to get an opportunity to come here.”

Alabama's Gilbert Kigen out in front.

There's still time to catch the finish @Flotrack! pic.twitter.com/YLk1qqJNKC

— NCAA Track & Field (@NCAATrackField) November 18, 2017

Kigen’s parents likely knew that their son had a gift — from experience if nothing else.

“I also come from a family where, my siblings, they used to run," Kigen continued. "I have five brothers and I’m the younger one. Four of my brothers, they were athletes. Right now, they are doing marathons. Two of them have already retired and two of them are continuing. I have two sisters and they also run.”

Kigen’s opportunity to run in America first came through Central Arizona College. His brother, who had made the trip earlier, contacted him about an opening and Kigen had his chance. 

He merely went on to become the most decorated runner in NJCAA history, winning nine individual NJCAA track & field championships.

Kigen won back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017 in the 5,000 and 10,000 outdoors, the 5,000 and 3,000 indoors, and the indoor mile championship in 2017. Kigen also won two individual NJCAA cross country championships.

“Arizona, I remember the first race when I came and I got first," he said. "It still motivates from that time when I won that race. I remember I ran a PR [Personal Record] and it was a course record for my school. 

"It’s something that’s been inspiring me all the time when I remember. I did much when I was in Arizona but still. I haven’t won a championship [at Alabama], but I still have the opportunity to this season. I’m excited for this season, to see what I can do.”

Gilbert Kigen was the most decorated runner in NJCAA history, / Alabama Athletics

Kigen has had a lot of success with the Crimson Tide, though. He's notched several impressive finishes in a variety of distances, including fourth place as Alabama’s No. 1 runner at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, earning All-American honors.

Despite the recognition, that one race still haunts Kigen.

“Cross country, 2017, two years ago," he said. "It’s something I still remember. There was a point in the middle where I was leading and at the end of the race, I came in fourth. 

"It still pushes me when I remember, when I’m doing my running. It always takes me back to that race and I’ve been really working hard. I’m sure one day I will get something from it. It didn’t go well for me but one day it is going to go well for me and I’m hoping for that.”

Like any athlete who leaves his or her  home country to continue competing at a place like Alabama, there can be a lot of adjustments. The heat wasn't one of them,  and the sun still rises in the east. But that was bout it. 

Nearly everything else, from the food to the road rules, were completely different from Africa. 

“It’s been a lot of culture shock," he said. "It was hard, you know the culture’s different back home. It took me a while in that transition. The language, English is our third language back home so I wasn’t that good in English when I started but now when I see myself, I can say at least I can.”

But the perks of being both a student and athlete at Alabama have made that transition a bit easier. So is not being alone as the Crimson Tide track team boasts five other runners from Kenya and numerous others with international roots. 

Vincent Kiprop (@vincentkiprop0) and Gilbert Kigen, 1st and 2nd place at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational@AlabamaTrack pic.twitter.com/Mqcnd5F4ee

— Pat Holleran (@athleticsPix) October 6, 2019

“I’ve made so many friends," Kigen said. "It’s been really good to me. All the teammates, we have been together, are all amazing guys. It’s been a good year, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve really learned a lot coming here. Being in Alabama has been really good. Alabama athletics has been a really good family and helped us a lot. It’s been really amazing being here. I would say I’ve been having fun.

"And we have football. I would say I have a lot of fun going there.”

It may not be the football he grew up with, however Kigen knows a good thing when he sees it, along with striving for success. 

That's Kigen’s reason for running. 

He claimed second in the Crimson Tide's first major meet of the season, but his race for glory this season has only begun.