Ethiopias Gebrselassie backs Kenya Champions Walk for Peace

Ethiopias Gebrselassie backs Kenya Champions Walk for Peace

Ethiopian running legend Haile Gebrselassie – who set 27 World records in his long career – and is widely considered one of the greatest distance runners in history will be coming to Kenya next month to take part in the Kenya Champions Walk for Peace.

The Champions Walk for Peace is an initiative supported by the Aegist trust that will involve a group of top Kenyan athletes – including Wilson Kipsang, who broke Gebrselassie’s Marathon record in 2013 – carrying a torch for humanity over 800 km in 22 days through the heart of the Rift Valley from Lodwar, Turkana to the shores of Lake Bogoria, starting on the 15th of July.

Gebrselassie, who announced his retirement from competitive running less than two months ago, will join the Kenyan champions during the final day of their walk on 6th August, for the closing few miles to the finish.

“When people are being killed and driven from their homes, it’s a tragedy for all of us,” said Gebrselassie. “That’s why I’m thrilled to be joining the Kenya Champions Walk for Peace, to end the violence and save lives in Kenya’s North Rift Valley.”

The athletes are aiming to raise 25 Million Kenya shillings in sponsorship from fans and the public to kickstart a peace-building programme that will engage at least 10,000 young people at risk of being drawn into the ethnic violence, saving lives and preventing suffering in the Rift Valley.

They include Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich, Paul Tergat, Tegla Loroupe, Ezekiel Kemboi, John Kelai, Irine Jerotich, Andrew Lesuuda, Alex Kipchirchir, Stephen Kiprotich and Douglas Wakiihuri.

 

By Bernard Ndong

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