Kenya joined the rest of the world in participating in the Wings for Life World Run. The app-based run was held in different parts of the world and saw a total of 161,892 participants from 192 countries register for the event.
The ASK Showground played host to the Nairobi Edition of the run while Diani played host to the Mombasa County edition of the run.
The Charity run which was open to elite athletes and other participants saw the participation of the reigning 100m African champion Ferdinand Omanyala, Rally Driver Nikhil Schania, and the National Duathlon athlete James.
James Mwaura covered 28km to become the last man standing in the Nairobi edition of the race. Meanwhile in Diani Sophia Nekesa covered the longest distance by registering 16.5km in the run which was the longest distance in the race.
Globally Nina Zarina and Jo Fukuda registered the longest distance in the Women’s and men’s categories respectively. Nina Zarina covered a total of 56km while Jo Fukuda covered a total of 64.4 km. Jo Fukuda who is part of the NN running team which is linked to the training of Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge attributed his performance to the inspiration that he got from fellow teammate Eliud Kipchoge.
According to Rally Driver Nikhil Schania the run was a step in the right direction towards efforts of supporting people with Spinal Cord complications.
“Apart from supporting efforts in Spinal Cord Research the run was an opportunity to me to keep fit and improve on my fitness”
On his part the reigning 100m African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala added that he decided to participate in the event to run for those who could not run the race due to spinal cord injuries.
“The main reason for me to come was to raise awareness for Spinal Cord Injuries and research and run for those who can’t”
Reflecting on his performance in the race the reigning last man standing of the 2021 edition of the run James Mwaura said that even though he was not able to reach his targets, of 70km the aim of the run was achieved and that was to run for a good course.
“We are here for a purpose and the purpose is to make the world a better place for everyone”
In total 161,892 participants from 4,055 teams drawn from all over the world registered for this year’s event with 920 wheelchair participants in attendance globally. Approximately a total of Ksh.5.7 billion was raised in the form of Entry Fees and donations.
All the proceeds raised from the charity run will go into funding and supporting Spinal Cord research and curing in different parts of the world.
Focus now shifts to the next edition of the run which will be held on May 7, 2023
