Kipchoge’s fine balancing act benefits more families

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge continues to strike a fine balance between maintaining a strict training regime and coming to the rescue of vulnerable families hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, the Olympic champion delivered food supplies to 30 more families around Kaptagat and Cheptigit villages as more corporates teamed up with his Eliud Kipchoge Foundation to assist the needy.

Kipchoge partnered with Zahra Hassanali and Gilani Foundation who donated food that saw the elderly also benefiting from the gesture.  

Kipchoge said he saw it wise to distribute the food to the villagers whom he has been interacting with for many years during his training around Kaptagat.

“Today we have managed to distribute food to 30 families from Kaptagat and Cheptigit villages who have been struggling during this hard times of Covid-19. It’s something small but this will keep them going,” said Kipchoge on Tuesday.

Supporting many families

The legend asked more corporates and individuals to join the food donation drive.
“There has been good response from various stakeholders, but this initiative, which is ongoing, needs more people to come on board so that we can support many families including athletes who are also still struggling,” said Kipchoge.

He plans to support more athletes because the supply they received last month has almost run out and there is need for more food aid.

Regarding his training programme, Kipchoge said he’s been doing easy training in the morning and evening as he follows directives from the ministry of health on social distancing.

“My day starts with a run in the morning and the same in the evening, and the most important thing is to keep safe and follow directives from the government because this virus is not a joke.

“Many have been affected by the virus and it’s always good to keep distance, wear your mask and avoid crowded areas as one way of flattening the curve as we wait for it to be contained,” Kipchoge explained on the sidelines of his food distribution programme.

Last week Kipchoge distribute food in his training area of Kaptagat where 30 families benefited.

He then headed back to his Nandi County home where another 70 families received the food aid.

Kipchoge said he is also planning to support other sportsmen and women outside the North Rift region if more support comes in.

Jescah Busolo, 69, was delighted to get the food aid on Tuesday, saying that she was lucky to have met with the legend whom she only hears about.

“I’m so happy that I have today seen the legend whom I always hear about.

“God bless you my son because you have brought food to many families who are struggling to put food on the table during this period,” she told Kipchoge.

Kipchoge was accompanied by his training mates including former 5,000 metres Commonwealth Games champion Augustine Choge and Jonathan Korir.

Choge said that he was happy to support his training mate during this period where many families are struggling to get food.

“The Eliud Kipchoge Foundation has done a good job and I have been accompanying him during this mission.

“If more support comes, many people will benefit especially during this period,” said Choge.