# Caroline Rotich

Caroline Rotich (born 13 May 1984) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in half marathon and marathon races. She has won the Las Vegas Marathon, New York Half Marathon and the Boston Marathon. She represented Kenya at the World Championships in Athletics in 2011 and has personal bests of 2:23:22 for the marathon and 1:09:09 for the half marathon.

## Quotes

* We went to like the last sprint and I knew that this was going to be the toughest sprint so I waited and waited so sprinting that I was like I have to go for it or give it everything I have.
** CBS Boston, "Kenya's Caroline Rotich Wins Thrilling Women's Boston Marathon", WBZ News, April 20, 2015.
* That was like the greatest thing I've ever felt. I feel so happy and grateful to do it here in Boston.
** CBS Boston, "Kenya's Caroline Rotich Wins Thrilling Women's Boston Marathon", WBZ News, April 20, 2015.
* I thought, ‘Oh, I’m going to get second,’ but then realized quickly that she still had a shot. “I saw the finish and thought, ‘Oh, I can kick; I have a chance to win today.
** Erin Strout, "Caroline Rotich is the 2015 Boston Marathon Champion", Runners World, April 20, 2015.
* My coach used to tell me, 'If you win big races, your life is going to change,'... So I was a little prepared, and I'm having fun with it, but you really don't know what it's like until you're there.
** Scott Douglas, "Surprise Boston winner Caroline Rotich is fit and ready for New York", Runners World, October 29, 2015.
* I was trying to help some of the Kenyans coming there to learn Japanese...But I decided I wanted to be more serious about running and make it my job. I felt like I was not going to reach my goals if I stayed there (Japan).
** Scott Douglas, "Surprise Boston winner Caroline Rotich is fit and ready for New York", Runners World, October 29, 2015.
* I didn't start training for the marathon when I was 20, 21, 22, like a lot of the women now...The other thing is that I didn't want to run marathons just because it was the thing to do. I felt like I wanted to do it only when I was ready to do it well.
** Scott Douglas, "Surprise Boston winner Caroline Rotich is fit and ready for New York", Runners World, October 29, 2015.
* I love racing in New York...I know [the marathon course] is not as fast as some of the other races, but sometimes you have to feel it in your heart. You go where you want to be.
** Scott Douglas, "Surprise Boston winner Caroline Rotich is fit and ready for New York", Runners World, October 29, 2015.
* Returning to Pittsburgh as the defending champion is really special to me....Last year (2022) was my first time in the city and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. The best part of the race is seeing all the amazing spectators on the course, regardless of the weather. My goal this year is to win the race again and see how far I can push my limits.
** "Wesley Kiptoo and Caroline Rotich Aim to Defend Titles at the 2023 UPMC Health Pittsburgh Half Marathon", Running USA, March 30, 2023.
* It feels great to win my first race ever in Pittsburgh...It was so great seeing all the people on the course and cheering despite the rain. I can’t wait to be back!
** "Kenyan runners Wesley Kiptoo and Caroline Rotich Set Course Records at 2022 Pittsburgh Half Marathon", MyBestRuns.com, 02 May 2022.
* This will be my first time coming to Pittsburgh...It’s always exciting to travel to new places and Pittsburgh has been on my bucket list. I’m motivated to capitalize on my training this spring, rather than refocus on another marathon. I am feeling fit and ready to run fast in Pittsburgh.
** "Aliphine Tuliamuk, Jared Ward, Caroline Rotich and Abdi Abdirahman are ready to race the streets of Pittsburgh", MyBestRuns.com, 21 April 2022.
* The great feelings, I still have it. Lots of memories...It’s good to be back, back where I started. Not where I started running, but where I started to run well.
** Chris Lotsbom, "2015 Boston Marathon Champ Caroline Rotich Savors Return to Boston for Sunday’s B.A.A. Half-Marathon", LetsRun.com, 10 October 2015.
* It’s crazy. When I won the Boston Half, it’s when I was new. I had just started training with my coach and I saw that my training is paying off and all that stuff. Since then I kept going to races and getting better and better. This is where it all started, that year was when we started to get better...I’m excited. I love it here.
** Chris Lotsbom, "2015 Boston Marathon Champ Caroline Rotich Savors Return to Boston for Sunday’s B.A.A. Half-Marathon", LetsRun.com, 10 October 2015.
* I can tell you, my coach used to tell me ‘If you win Boston or big races like that, your life is going to change and everything is going to change.’ I was like ‘Oh yeah. I don’t think too, too much.’ But I can tell you it has changed a lot. Everywhere you go people stop and talk to me and say good luck, and want to know more about running...That’s one thing — I’m more inspired by it. Just how people are really into it, knowing it and wanting [to run more]. I go to the store and people stop me and that’s really good. It keeps me going.
** Chris Lotsbom, "2015 Boston Marathon Champ Caroline Rotich Savors Return to Boston for Sunday’s B.A.A. Half-Marathon", LetsRun.com, 10 October 2015.
* Coming back, every time is good and awesome...offering up some last minute advice. Make sure you have enough energy and are feeling yourself and know how much you still have left to go on the hills… Pace yourself.
** Chris Lotsbom, "2015 Boston Marathon Champ Caroline Rotich Savors Return to Boston for Sunday’s B.A.A. Half-Marathon", LetsRun.com, 10 October 2015.