Inspirational. . . The defending champions of the Boston Marathon Wesley Korir (30) and Sharon Jemutai Cherop (29) are a shining example of Kenya never-ending story of domination in distance running, especially the standard marathon (42.2km). On Monday the pair will line up to try defend their titles at the 117th edition of the world’s oldest annual marathon. Both athletes, after a poor start in life back home in Kenya, are living comfortable lives as professional athletes. It will therefore be not so much about the $806,000 (R7m) on offer as the first prize in both the men’s and women’s races, but an extension of a legacy for them as individuals and for Kenya. If Korir doesn’t win, another Kenyan runner will most likely take the men’s race. In the women’s race the upsurge of Ethiopian women is posing a real threat, as seen last week in Paris, when Tadese Tola took the honours. Korir, who is a permanent resident in the US, proved his popularity back home when he was elected as MP to the Kenyan national assembly last month. A biology graduate of University of Louisville, Korir is also a fierce campaigner for food security and anti-poverty programmes. He is known to celebrate finishing races by giving away his post-match sandwich to a homeless person. He and his Canadian wife are the directors of the Kenyan Kids Foundation, to improve education and healthcare in his homeland, more so in his hometown of Kitale.
Cherop on the other hand took up running to subdue the boredom of rural existence for girls. But even more significant, she was inspired and also encouraged by two of Kenya’s best known runners, Catherine Ndereba (four-time Boston winner) and Evans Rutto, who lived in her area in Marakwet. Whatever happens on Monday, Korir and Cherop have already won their toughest races of life.
