• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Interviews

A Unique interview with 2016 Nairobi Marathon runner-up Mark Lokwanamoi (He wants to win 2017 Frankfurt Marathon)

Justin LagatbyJustin Lagat
October 28, 2017
0
0 0
0
SHARES
12
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Originally published on December 12, 2016.

Reposted on October 28, 2017.

RelatedPosts

Noah Lyles still chasing Bolt Records after world championship conquests

Socialing the Distance featuring Robert Griffin III, ESPN analyst & former NFL Quarterback, 2011 Heisman Trophy Winner, 2012 ROY-ProBowl Quarterback, Clip: the Difference between High school and College sports

Josh Kerr,   reflections of a world champion, a RunBlogRun Exclusive

Mark Lokwanamoi is in Frankfurt and he wants to win the marathon. Originally trained as an accountant, one of his friends from Kenya came up to to me ant said that Mark has dreams of winning the Frankfurt Marathon and then, all of the marathon Majors. I like someone who believes in themself.

This is an unique interview from Justin Lagat. Mark Lokwanamoi is a journeymen marathoner, who is trying to figure out his future. Lagat’s column was written in November, right after the Nairobi Marathon. I am fascinated with the people we get to meet through Justin. I hope that you enjoy Justin’s weekly A view from Kenya. Check out his website at www.kenyanathlete.com.

DSCN8172.JPGMark Lokwanamoi, photo by PhotoRun.net

Unique interview with 2016 Nairobi Marathon runner-up; Mark Lokwanamoi, by Justin Lagat
When I asked him whether he has ever drank cow’s urine, Mark gazed at me questioningly as though I had asked a rhetorical question, then answered, “what would one do?” I was tempted to laugh, but the seriousness on his face could not allow me do that.
“It may be hard for you to imagine, but that is the kind of life we undergo in West Pokot whenever there is drought, which happens often. We would at times go for days without food and water. Drinking cows’ urine is a matter either doing it or dying,” he said.
Mark had no shoe sponsor going into the race and was still going round borrowing racing shoes three days before the marathon, but still managed to finish second in 2:14:08 behind Robert Kemboi who won the race in 2:13:27. This was his second marathon ever. He had run Iten marathon earlier in the year finishing 7th in a race he felt he would have done better had he stayed patient within the leading pack. The lessons he learnt placed him six positions ahead during the Nairobi Marathon last weekend (November 4).
“It has always been my wish to become a positive role model in my area where the only people seen to be “successful” by young kids are the cattle rustlers. Going to school was not being taken seriously and learning facilities and materials were scarce, but I tried what I could. I remember we would get a chance to visit a lab about once in three months, yet we would eventually sit for the same national examinations with students from other parts of the country who had access to libraries and laboratories any time they needed them,” said Mark. He feels that he comes from an area that has been marginalized for long time and needs a lot of developments in many aspects for future generations to live decently.
“I believe that the best way to fight cattle rustling and change my community is by only doing three things: Drilling water for irrigation, building schools and developing infrastructure. As at now, life there is just all about herding cattle,” he said.
Earlier on, his determination to become a role model, specifically a health officer, in his area so he would contribute to change in his community saw him apply for scholarships to study in USA, but was denied visa a number of times at the US embassy in Nairobi. His relatives could not raise money to enable him study at a local college and so he decided to change his running for scholarships into running commercially.
Within three months of training in Iten, he was able to finish third at a local track and field meeting in Nakuru that opened up an opportunity for him to go out of the country and run a number of low profile road races in Europe. He was able to earn a little money. However, instead of remaining in training camp and developing his running career more, he decided to enroll himself at a university in Eldoret to study accounting with the money he had won in races.
Armed with a diploma from the university, he tried unsuccessfully to find a job and had to quickly turn to running again. This time round, he is more determined than ever to make the best out of his talent in running. He has decided to put his studies aside and focus on his career as a professional athlete.
“I like making focused and long term plans. Now that I have seen I have a great potential to do well in marathon, having just focused on this event for less than a year and managing to finish second at the Nairobi Marathon, I now want to find a good management that will support me in my training as I focus on running quality times and races in the future. I rather focus on one future marathon and run 2:05 than run multiple marathons in a year with poor times,” he said.

Author

  • Justin Lagat
    Justin Lagat

    Since 2013, Justin Lagat has written for RunBlogRun. His weekly column is called A view from Kenya. Justin writes about the world of Kenyan athletics on a weekly basis and during championships, provides us additional insights into the sport.

    View all posts

Previous Post

2017 HOKA ONE ONE Postal Nationals Fall Cross Country Training Program, Week 19, Day 6 :Good luck on race day!!!!

Next Post

Vivian Cheruiyot Interview pre Frankfurt Marathon with Larry Eder, RunBlogRun

Justin Lagat

Justin Lagat

Since 2013, Justin Lagat has written for RunBlogRun. His weekly column is called A view from Kenya. Justin writes about the world of Kenyan athletics on a weekly basis and during championships, provides us additional insights into the sport.

Similar Post

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

October 3, 2023
The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!
Athletics history

The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!

October 3, 2023
The Budapest 2023 World Champs are Underway…

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 4, Day 2, Tempo!

October 3, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Nike Pre Classic, Some Deep thoughts on 2023 version

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racining Program, Week 4, day 1, Monday is recovery…

October 3, 2023
NUGUSE SMASHES AMERICAN RECORD FOR THE MILE: 3:43.97

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Running Week 3, Day 7, a long run on Sundays…

October 2, 2023
Coffee with Larry, Brussels DL continues was totally Impressive!

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial, Some deep thoughts on Another epic 1,500m race…

September 30, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

August 27, 2023
An epic pole vault competition

An epic pole vault competition

August 26, 2023
2022 USATF Outdoor Champs: Melissa Jefferson takes the Women’s 100m title in windy 10.69!

The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

February 8, 2023
Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

July 17, 2023
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
2022 Munich Diary, Day Five, a Great Friday Night

2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs, The Women’s 60m, who will win the final tonight?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

October 3, 2023
The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!

The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!

October 3, 2023
The Budapest 2023 World Champs are Underway…

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 4, Day 2, Tempo!

October 3, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Nike Pre Classic, Some Deep thoughts on 2023 version

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racining Program, Week 4, day 1, Monday is recovery…

October 3, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

2023 Allianz Van Damme Memorial , The Women’s Shot Put

October 3, 2023
The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!
Athletics history

The Great Days of Track & Field: Here is Elliott Denman’s Very First Segment of his favorite moments in our sport!

October 3, 2023
The Budapest 2023 World Champs are Underway…

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 4, Day 2, Tempo!

October 3, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Nike Pre Classic, Some Deep thoughts on 2023 version

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racining Program, Week 4, day 1, Monday is recovery…

October 3, 2023

Recent Tweets

Next Post

Vivian Cheruiyot Interview pre Frankfurt Marathon with Larry Eder, RunBlogRun

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist