Henry Wanyoike
25 October 2007
column
Nairobi — The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is just three days away and I am suddenly realizing that after more than seven entries on the log I am yet to explain my involvement with the event.
I know I have talked on about where I was born, my deprived upbringing in a broken family, how I lost my eyesight and later discovered my calling, if you want to call it that, in running.
But why am I involved in the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon?
The marathon's noble aim is to restore eyesight to as many people as possible. The motto of the marathon, "Seeing is Believing" tells it all.
I spread the word around about supporting the Seeing is Believing programme and have been doing it for the last four years. You know, the one who wears the shoe knows where it pinches. When I talk about blindness, I know how it feels.
The despair and depression one feels when they lose their eyesight; the challenges of living in a fast-paced world that sometimes has little forgiveness for the visually impaired; the great potential people with impaired visions have if only they are given a chance; and of course, the tremendous difference Standard Chartered does by restoring eyesight to hundreds of people who otherwise would not have had an opportunity to see.
There is something about human beings. Hearing about someone beating many odds to succeed in life appeals to their emotions. I use my achievements in running, and life in general, to raise awareness and open purse strings so that we can get funds to operate people with cataract.
You can now see where I have come from and where I am going.
Last week it was to China where I ran 10km in the Standard Chartered Beijing Marathon. I visited a few schools in Shanghai to give motivational talks and help raise money for the Seeing is Believing programme.
Okay, modesty aside, I broke my own record (set in Athens in 2004) with a run of 30 min 02.10 sec.
Billboards of me in Beijing and an enthusiastic crowd cheering me on must have played a hand in me setting the new record.
So, you guys, watch out for me in the 10km race. Relax, though. I will not be running fast, and, novices and intermediate runners can race me, and beat me - if they can. Finally, let me urge you Kenyans to come out in large numbers on Sunday, as runners and spectators in support of the event.
Let us own this marathon.
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