Kenya’s Mary Keitany, the holder of the world marathon record in a women-only race, decided to retire after a back injury that she suffered in late 2019.
The marathon record holder was set to travel to Europe for further medication but due to the pandemic travel restrictions she was unable to do so resulting in her retirement.
In September 2021, Keitany decided to call time on her outstanding career and announced the end of her professional running in a farewell press release.
“However, I am sad to say, a back injury that I suffered in late 2019 made a decision about my retirement for me. I couldn’t get the treatment I wanted in Europe because of the pandemic-related travel restrictions last year and every time I thought I had gotten over the injury and started training hard, it became a problem again,” Keitany stated.
Even though Keitany will no longer be seen on the start line of a major marathon, nevertheless she leaves behind a host of memorable performances that have assured her of a place in the pantheon of road running greats.
She pointed out that after her 2019 race where she finished second, she had plans of continuing her career for more years.
“After my successful 2019, when I had some good results including second place in New York, I was hopeful that I could still be very competitive internationally for several more years even though I am in my late 30s,” she added.
Since her retirement Keitany has generously agreed to donate some of her racing kit to the World Athletics Heritage Collection.
Since the beginning of December, Keitany’s singlet, shorts and shoes from her fourth and final New York City Marathon victory in 2018 have been on display in the 3D virtual Museum of World Athletics (MOWA).
World Athletics celebrates her donation by recapping the career of one of the all-time greats of road running.
Keitany continues to hold the women-only marathon world record with a time of 2:17:01 set when she completed her hat-trick of London wins four years ago.
To this day, she remains the only woman other than the incomparable Grete Waitz to have triumphed in New York more than three times.