Eunice Jepkoech Sum

Eunice Sum was born on 10 April 1988 at Keses, Uasin Gishu District, Kenya.  She went to Turwopng’etuny Primary School and later Itigo Girls secondary school but due to her poor background, she could not proceed to Itigo and was therefore enrolled at the Moi University Secondary day school. During her first two years in high school Sum concentrated in Heptathlon and handball taking to National level but this was to change in the next two years.

She started developing attitude in running and this saw her reaching the schools’ finals in 400 meters.  Her school  Coach David Letting urged her to give a try on 800m. On her first attempt, she finished the race at 2:12.

Since her last attempt, Sum did not take any other race but instead she welcomed her daughter Diana Jeruto to the world in 2008.

She was later re-introduced to running by Janeth Jepkosgei who had spotted during the school's championships.

 She started serious training and took part at the Osaka world championships; she was introduced to her coach, Claudio Berardelli and manager Federico Rosa who prepared her for the 2009 Trials for Berlin World Championships where she finished fifth.

Sum took part at the African Athletics Championships in Nairobi Kenya but could not reach the final. During the World Championships trials, she finished second at 1:59.66 behind her mentor and guide, Jepkosgei who finished the race at 1:59.34. Sum took part at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics in Daegu South Korea. She finished fourth at a time of 1:59.94.

 In 2012 Sum participated over 5000 meters in Eugene running at a personal best of 8:53.12.  In the same month, she took part at Paris Saint-Denis 1500 meters race where she finished at a time of 4:04.26.

She represented Kenya at the African Senior Championships in Porto Novo, Benin. She finished second at a time of 1:59.13.

 Her dream to represent Kenya at the 2012 London Olympics came into reality after coming in second over 1500 meters at the Kenyan Olympics trials in Nairobi Kenya.