Before winning the Eldoret City Marathon, Elkana Yego was little known in the world of athletics. In fact, he ran the Marathon without having a manager but now he is probably the most sought-after athlete having entered into the millionaires club.
Before Sunday, Yego had only won the ‘small races’ as he put it, with the Athletics Kenya (AK) meeting title the only thing he would brag of. But did you know that Yego once had no shoes and clothes to train with?
Here is his inspiring story as shared by former Cherangany Member of Parliament Wesley Korir on his official Facebook page moments after Yego cliched Sh3 million after clocking 2:12:44, is personal best.
“Couple of years ago I met a young man hustling in the village, it was during transcend running academy trials in Suwerwa. He had no shoes, no running clothes but he had the will and the talent. He had never ever thought of ever running a marathon because the only race he had run was 1500m that is close to a 40.5km difference.
I took him into my house and lived with him as one of my family, gave him training shoes and started training with him and teaching him how to train and race the marathon. He became a member of the Runchera program I started in Cherangany to help identify and empower Cherangany residence through talent development. I took him to races in Canada and America and through his winnings, I helped him buy land because his family was renting a house in a market.
His name is Elkana Yego, commonly known as Kapkarwa from Kongasis and he is now the Eldoret marathon champion!! And Sh3 million richer. His story should motivate every young man out there to always work hard!! Say thanks to those who help you along the way and believe in God. Congrats buddy my family is very proud of you.”