Albert Kiptoo Yator (6 September 1993 – 5 February 2011)[1] was a Kenyan professional long-distance runner who specialised in the steeplechase.
Born in Iten, he was the brother of a former world junior record holder, Raymond Yator.[2] He won his first and only international medal at the 2010 World Junior Championships in Athletics in Moncton, Canada, taking the silver medal in the 3000 metres steeplechase as part of a Kenyan 1–2 with Jonathan Muia Ndiku.[3] Having gained representation with PACE Sports Management, he made his debut on the major European track and field circuit later that year.[4] At the Memorial van Damme Diamond League meeting in Brussels he came fifth in a personal best of 8:23.69 minutes – the fastest time by a youth level athlete that year,[5] and also the fourth fastest junior time.[6]
Yator began his 2011 cross country season on the Athletics Kenya National Cross Series, coming sixth in the junior section.[7] However, his running was interrupted by illness and he was admitted to Eldoret Hospital with suspected malaria. His health rapidly worsened and the young athlete died on 5 February at the age of seventeen due to what was later identified as bronchopneumonia.[8] Noah Ngeny, the 2000 Olympic champion over 1500 metres, paid tribute to Yator, describing him as a "talented runner".[5]