Richard Limo

Born
Nov 18, 1980 (45 years old)
Birthplace
Kenya, Kenya
Events
10 000 m · 3000 m
Height
1.67 m
Weight
53 kg

Richard Kipkemei Limo (born 18 November 1980) is a Kenyan athlete. He specializes in long distance track events. He won the 5000 m gold medal at the 2001 World Championships in Athletics. Limo was born in 1980 in Cheptigit village, Uasin Gishu District. After primary school he went to polytechnic and received a grade in electrical wiring in 1996. He did not start running, until 1997 when he joined a training camp located near his home.

The next year he won the silver medal at the junior race of World Cross Country Championships. The same year he broke the world junior record at 3000 m, by running in 7:36.76 minutes, but missed the World Junior Championships. He won the Cross Zornotza in 1999 and the Trofeo Alasport cross country meeting in 2002. In 2001 he became world champion and was world's best performer of the year at 5000 metres with his time 12:56.72, which remains his personal record. Since 2004 Limo has not been much in the limelight, but has since switched to marathon racing. He won the Giro Media Blenio 10K in 2004.

He was the runner-up in the 2007 Amsterdam Marathon, his debut where he consequently set a new personal best (2:06:45). He won his first marathon race in 2010, running a time of 2:09:56 for victory at the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon. He slowed to a halt just before the finish line in celebration of his first win over the distance. He finished the 2011 Reims Marathon in third place, finishing behind debutant Demessew Tsega. Richard Limo is married to Rose Tarus with two children, born in 2000 and 2002. He is 1.67 m tall and has a mass of 52 kg. He is not related to Benjamin Limo or Felix Limo, both also Kenyan runners.

Personal best · 10 000 m26:50.20
2019 season best2:20:27Oct 27, 2019 · Nairobi
Medals1World Championships: 1 gold
Personal best · 3000 m7:32.23

As of Oct 27, 2026: 10 000 m 26:50.20 (#42 all-time), 3000 m 7:32.23, 2019 season best 2:20:27 (Oct 27, 2019, Nairobi (KEN)) · World Championships: 1 gold · 45 years old

DisciplineResultAll-time
1500mNijmegen 20003:40.221,104 pts–
3000mBruxelles 20017:32.231,225 pts–
5000mZürich 200112:56.721,222 pts#106
10000mBruxelles 200226:50.201,242 pts#42
SemiRotterdam 20081:02:231,092 pts–
MarathonAmsterdam 20072:06:451,190 pts#373

Medals

CompetitionsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
World Championships1––1

Progression

Compare me
SeasonDisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
2019Marathon 2:20:27–Oct 27, 2019Nairobi (KEN)
2018Marathon 2:15:06–Nov 4, 2018Porto Marathon
2016Marathon 2:20:26–Oct 30, 2016Nairobi (KEN)
2013Marathon 2:15:42–Apr 7, 2013Milano (ITA)
2012Marathon 2:11:02–Oct 21, 2012Reims (FRA)
2011Marathon 2:10:02–Oct 16, 2011Reims (FRA)
2010Semi 1:05:15–Oct 31, 2010Cassis (FRA)
2010Marathon 2:09:48–Mar 21, 2010Los Angeles, CA (USA)
Compare me with Richard Limo

Media

Richard Limo
© Erik van Leeuwen · CC BY-SA 3.0
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Richard Limo's 10 000 m personal best is 26:50.20, set on Aug 30, 2002 in Bruxelles (BEL), #42 on the all-time list.

Richard Limo competes in the 10 000 m and 3000 m.

2019 season best: 2:20:27, set on Oct 27, 2019 in Nairobi (KEN).

Richard Limo has won 1 World Championships medal.