Kiplagat studied at the Sirgoech Secondary School in Iten and she hoped to get a scholarship in the United States. She failed to get a scholarship, but had a successful start for her running career. She won the silver medal in 5000 m at the 2006 World Junior Championships. At the 2007 World Cross Country Championships she finished fifth in the senior race, while the Kenyan team of which she was a part won the silver medal in the team competition.