Why winning Nandi Road Race left Chepchirchir in tears
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 01.09.24. | 19:57
Winners of the race pocketed Kshs.100, 000 with the first runners up getting Kshs. 80,000
Faith Chepchirchir struggled to contain tears of joy after claiming the Mozzart Bet Re-Discover Nandi Road race title on her third attempt on Sunday.
Chepchirchir needed 35 minutes and 30 seconds to end her search for victory on a course, that is not foreign to her, given that she trains in Kapsabet, and had unsuccessfully contested for the top spot in 2022 and 2023.
Winning the race in front of the people who have watched her grow in leaps and bounds from the time she joined the camp in Kapsabet three years ago, meant a lot for her.
Behind the tears of joy, was an answered prayer, as the 23-year old revealed that all the prize money would be channeled towards making his two siblings comfortable in school. She won Kshs. 100,000.
The Kitale-born athlete said she had plans of enrolling his two brothers; Abel Kipkemboi and Abednego Kipngetich in a boarding school so as to improve their academic performance.
She said watching the two siblings, who are in form three, cover miles so to access education at Maridadi Secondary School compelled her to put extra efforts on the course so as to impact their lives positively.
"The fight you saw on the course was for my brothers as I will use all the prize money to cater for their boarding school expenses. It pains me watching them cover long distances to school which affects their performance. I am sure I will see them through the remainder of their high school education through running," she opened up.
What made the Chepchirchir more emotional is the fact that Kipngetich had for a long time struggled with an injury that made schooling difficult.
"Unfortunately, Abednego has a problem with his legs which makes it difficult to walk to school. Nothing breaks my heart than when he calls and breaks down due to pain. I will be the happiest person to see him in boarding school," she said.
Besides helping his brothers in securing quality education, Chepchirchir, who finished eighth in Lisbon Half Marathon in March, hopes to usher Kipkemboi into athletics after school.
"He is good in running and I am sure he will be a successful athlete after school. With his help, we will give our family decent lifestyle," she added.
