NAIROBI, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei has been promoted by her country's military after her runner-up finish at the London Marathon on Sunday.

The 2021 London champion surrendered her title to Ethiopia's 23-year-old Yalemzerf Yehualaw who charged through the last six miles to claim victory in two hours 17 minutes and 26 seconds to become the youngest winner of the big race.

Jepkosgei led the challengers home in 2:18:07 to continue her podium run at the World Marathon Majors (WMM) circuit that also includes wins at the 2019 New York City and 2021 London races.

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Robert Kibochi promoted Corporal Jepkosgei to Sergeant on Tuesday.

In his remarks, before the investiture of ranks, Kibochi congratulated Jepkosgei for her good work in representing the country in major races and for improving on her timings which have seen her break multiple world records.

"We are very grateful for your continuous hard work and for representing Kenya and KDF well. We wish you the best as competing at such high levels requires a lot of hard work and determination. I am confident that you will continue doing better since you are still young," Kibochi said in a statement issued in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Jepkosgei was thankful to the CDF for the promotion citing it as "an honor."

The 2021 London Marathon winner also appreciated how the Kenya Defence Forces take care of its athletes more so with special regard to physiotherapy. Enditem

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