| Intro | Kenyan distance runner |
| Was |
Athlete Runner Long-distance runner |
| From | Kenya |
| Type | Sports |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 6 January 1963, Kapsabet |
| Death |
16 March 1995, Eldoret (aged 32 years) |
Paul Kipkoech (January 6, 1963 – March 16, 1995) was a Kenyan long-distance runner who specialized in the 10,000 metres and cross-country running. He became world champion over 10,000 m in 1987.
Kipkoech was born in Kapsabet. In 1986 he ran the 3000 metres in 7:39.38 minutes, which was the third best time in the world that season, only behind Saïd Aouita and Sydney Maree.
He retired in 1988 due to illness. He died in 1995 at an Eldoret hospital aged only 32.
Achievements
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Representing Kenya | |||||
| 1983 | World Championships | Helsinki, Finland | 9th | 5000 m | |
| 1984 | Olympic Games | Los Angeles, California | 5th | 5000 m | |
| 1985 | World Cross Country Championships | Lisbon, Portugal | 2nd | Long race | |
| 1987 | World Cross Country Championships | Warsaw, Poland | 2nd | Long race | |
| World Championships | Rome, Italy | 1st | 10,000 m | ||
| All-Africa Games | Nairobi, Kenya | 2nd | 5000 m | ||
| 1st | 10,000 m | ||||
| 1988 | World Cross Country Championships | Auckland, New Zealand | 2nd | Long race | |