Benedict Muli Kimondiu (born 30 November 1977) is a Kenyan former marathon runner. Kimondiu began running marathons as apacesetter when he finished the 2000New York City Marathon in sixteenth place. The following year, Kimondiu became the first ever pacesetter to win at theChicago Marathon. In further marathons, Kimondiu competed at theBoston Marathon in 2002 and resumed his Chicago appearances in 2002 and 2003. After a third place finish at the 2004Tokyo International Marathon, Kimondiu did not finish theNew York City Marathon that year. A few years later, Kimondiu ran at the 2006 Tokyo International Marathon and 2007Tokyo Marathon, but did not complete either marathon. Kimondiu's last marathon was at the 2012Hong Kong Marathon, where he came in fifteenth place.
Kimondiu was born on 30 November 1977 and spent his childhood inKilungu,Kenya. Growing up, Kimondiu became an athlete while completing his primary education.[1][2]
Kimondiu began his athletic career at theCherry Blossom Ten Mile Run inWashington, D.C.[1] As apacesetter, Kimondiu finished sixteenth at the 2000New York City Marathon and first at the 2001Chicago Marathon.[3] Kimondiu's 2001 win made him the first ever pacesetter to finish first at the Chicago Marathon.[4] After the marathon, race director Carey Pinkowski said Kimondiu would be permitted to keep all of the money he won at Chicago as a pacesetter.[5] In subsequent marathons, Kimondiu was twenty-sixth at the 2002Boston Marathon, eleventh at the 2002 Chicago Marathon and thirteenth at the 2003 Chicago Marathon. Kimondiu's only other top eight performance in major marathons was a third place finish at the 2004 Tokyo International Marathon.[1] In later marathons, Kimondiu did not finish the 2004 New York City Marathon, 2006Tokyo International Marathon and 2007Tokyo Marathon. Kimondiu's final marathon was at the 2012Hong Kong Marathon, where he finished in fifteenth place.[6]
