Magdalyne Masai
Kenyan long-distance runner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Magdalyne Moraa Masai (born 21 November 1993) is a Kenyan long-distance runner specializing in marathon and road races. She is known for her strong marathon performances, including her personal best of 2:18:58 at the 2024 Frankfurt Marathon. She is the sister of Linet Masai and Moses Masai, both world-class runners, and is married to New Zealand long-distance runner Jake Robertson.
21 November 1993
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Magz |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Born | Magdalyne Moraa Masai 21 November 1993 Kenya |
| Occupation | long-distance runner |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Spouse | Jake Robertson |
| Sport | |
| Country |  Kenya |
| Sport | Athletics |
Events | Marathon, Half marathon, 10 km, 3000 metres steeplechase |
| Coached by | Jake Robertson (husband) |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal bests |
|
Career
Early in her career, Masai showed talent in cross country and shorter distances. She successfully defended her title at the Cross Zornotza in Amorebieta in 2014.[1] She achieved a personal best of 1:07:07 for half marathon in 2023 and 31:44 for 10K road in 2017.[2] She also competed in the 3000 metres steeplechase, recording a personal best of 9:29.16 in 2015.[2]
Masai made her marathon debut in 2018 at the Hefei Marathon in China, winning the race in 2:28:22.[3] In 2019, she finished second at the Hamburg Marathon with a time of 2:26:04. Later that year, she set a new Canadian All-Comers record at the 2019 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, winning in 2:22:16.[3][4]
The 2024 season saw significant performances from Masai. She finished second at the Seville Marathon with a time of 2:22:51. She then secured a victory at the Lanzhou Marathon, clocking 2:24:46.[5] Her standout performance of the year was at the 2024 Frankfurt Marathon, where she ran a personal best of 2:18:58 to finish second. This time placed her inside the previous course record, in a race where the course record was ultimately broken by Hawi Feysa.[6][5]
Personal life
Magdalyne Masai comes from a prominent running family, with her elder sister Linet Masai being the 2009 world 10,000m champion, and her elder brother Moses Masai a 2009 World Championship bronze medalist in the 10,000m.[7][3]
Masai is married to New Zealand long-distance runner Jake Robertson, and they have a son. They often train together in Iten, Kenya.[7][3]
Achievements
| Year | Race | Place | Position | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Cross Zornotza | Amorebieta | 1st | 23:55 (6.7 km XC)[1] |
| 2018 | Hefei Marathon | Hefei | 1st | 2:28:22[3] |
| 2019 | Hamburg Marathon | Hamburg | 2nd | 2:26:04[3] |
| 2019 | Toronto Waterfront Marathon | Toronto | 1st | 2:22:16[4] |
| 2024 | Seville Marathon | Seville | 2nd | 2:22:51[5] |
| 2024 | Lanzhou Marathon | Lanzhou | 1st | 2:24:46[5] |
| 2024 | Frankfurt Marathon | Frankfurt | 2nd | 2:18:58[6][5] |