How a Hong Kong charity is giving Kenya’s forgotten runners a second chance in Asia
Crowd funded MIRARunners gives Hongkongers chance to train with some of Kenya’s top athletes who struggle to make a living through their sport in ultra-competitive African nation
Thousands of potentially world-class runners in Kenya fall by the wayside with just 25 spots on the national team, but a new crowd funded Hong Kong charity is giving them a second chance to earn a living through the sport they love.
MIRARunners aims to bring professionally-trained young Kenyan talent to cities across Asia, including Hong Kong, to teach budding amateur runners while competing in local road marathons.
“Some young Kenyans are training very hard but never get a chance to represent the national teams,” said Lukas Wambua Muteti, who came second in the 2010 London Marathon and co-founded MIRARunners.
“They need another chance, not only in the national team but a place to explore. We need to give them ways to find their own way and make a living.”
Muteti speaks from experience. He was once part of the Kenyan national set-up but did not get regular chances to race nor enough sponsorship money to pay for the higher living costs that come with competing in Europe.
