Richard Chelimo (21 April 1972 – 15 August 2001) was a Kenyan long-distance runner, and a world record holder over 10,000 metres.

He came from a noted athletic family, even amongst the tribesmen, his cousin, Moses Kiptanui, was a three-time steeplechase World champion, whilst his brother, Ismael Kirui, was twice World champion over 5000 m. Richard Chelimo was married to Monica Chelimo and were blessed with 5 children.

Chelimo's first international success was in the junior section of the 1990 world cross country championship in Aix-les-Bains, France, where he took silver.

Though Chelimo received little attention due to the Kenyan domination of the event, their team won 10 successive junior titles.

Regardless, these events incensed the Spanish crowd, and the Swedish track judge Carl-Gustav Tollemar attempted to interfere with Boutayeb's run.

He returned to his old job in the army and put on a lot of weight and began to drink excessively — a decline quite similar to that of Henry Rono.