Justin Lagat training, photo by Justin Lagat
Justin Lagat is running a virtual race. I like his approach.
Many charity organizations have been using some big city races to raise funds for good causes. In Kenya, the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has been raising funds to help eradicate avoidable blindness in children; the family Bank half marathon in Eldoret has been raising money to educate children with learning difficulties in the region.
Other major city marathons have been associating themselves with multiple charity organizations to raise funds for various charities across the world.
However, while races had to either be canceled or postponed, the needs of the vulnerable in the community did not remain on a standby mode until the races will begin again. There are still young children who need medical assistance and education, and charities that still need help from the general public to continue making the lives of the needy in the community less bearable.
It is good that while some races have been canceled, running itself has not. Runners can still find ways to use their running to bring a positive impact in their communities.
Lawrence Cherono, the 2019 Chicago Marathon Champion and Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathon runner in history, have of late been distributing foodstuff on different occasions to those whose incomes have been affected by the COVID 19 pandemic and have been in need of assistance.
We are not all in the same position to be able to load foodstuff into trucks and distribute around, but thanks to some marathons that have decided to provide a platform for runners to participate in charities and run their races virtually, there is a way we can all be able to contribute as little as $10 dollars to worthy causes.
Running has not only been about winning races, but motivating others to take up healthy lifestyles. It has also been about bringing a positive impact on society through various charitable and humanitarian activities.
With the absence of races, running may be on a low gear for a while, but it should continue serving the good purposes that it has always been doing.
Personally, I will be running the 2020 virtual Ottawa Marathon next month to raise funds for the Bruyere Foundation. I was lucky to visit their offices and learned about the organization’s mission and values and I think they need more help at this time of the coronavirus pandemic. The foundation is helping deliver care for seniors, patients with complex and chronic health conditions, and people living with life-limiting illnesses.
Depending on the weather and other factors (roads can be muddy here), I am giving myself a window from June 7th to July 7th to run a 42.2km course here at the high altitudes in Eldoret for such a worthy cause.
Here is a link to my donation page: https://raceroster.com/events/
