US Ambassador Robert Godec yesterday became the first diplomat to confirm participation in next month’s First Lady Half Marathon in Nairobi.
The race in it’s third edition is aimed at creating awareness and raising funds for the Beyond Zero campaign which is meant to reduce maternal and child mortality.
“I will join the First Lady in the Beyond Zero Half Marathon. I am a big supporter of her efforts and she is truly a champion in her initiative and the US government and people are 100 percent behind her,” Godec said.
The US ambassador was speaking yesterday at Kamariny Stadium yesterday, where he joined London and Berlin Marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge, former Boston marathon champion Wesley Korir and Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich in training.
He praised the high altitude region of Iten for serving the interests of both local and foreign world greatest runners. “Many of great world runners have trained in Iten and I am very excited to train with the champions here today.
“Running is one of the greatest passion of my life. Running enables people gain strength, endurance and teaches them whatever they need in order to succeed in life,” he said. The envoy called for concerted efforts in fight against HIV/AIDs. “It is critically important that we work towards ending the threat of the disease. It is really a terrible disease destroying lives. I am grateful for runners who came out yesterday for the HIV/AIDs effort,” he added.
“Again I want to thank these athletes and wish them well because I know they will win in Boston, London and shine in Olympics in Brazil,” he noted .