The East African Standard (Nairobi)
Samson Ateka
19 October 2002
Nairobi — Kenya's Henry Wanyoike broke the world 5km road race record for the visually impaired in Boston two weeks ago.
Wanyoike, also 5000m para-lympics gold medalist, set a record of 16 minutes 11 seconds, to smash the previous record by one minute and 32 seconds.
The runner who beat 210 participants, said he would have performed even better was it not for his tired guides who slowed him down throughout the race.
"It was a tough race but I felt let down by my three guides who seemed exhausted for the better part of the race. I would have ran under 16 minutes, if I was not slowed down," said Wanyoike.
His brilliant performance in the race, staged on October 5, landed him an invitation to run in the main Boston Marathon race traditionally held in April.
He will also participate in the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) World Championships in Cubic City, Canada next year.
He said he is shopping for a steady running guide, who will enable him finish in a respectable position during the events. Wanyoike returned in the country on Thursday, to a warm reception at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
To receive him at the airport were his sponsors, Sight Savers, Hugh Herschell, the managing director of Tequila Kenya, his wife Myllow George and mother Gladys Wahu. The 28 year old runner said he will embark on serious training immediately.
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