By Erick Ochieng’
Maryanne Wangari Wanjiru, 23, had lost hope in life after completing high school five years ago. Her mother had no money to take her to college.
Maryanne Wangari Wanjiru, 23, had lost hope in life after completing high school five years ago. Her mother had no money to take her to college.
After seeing Team Kenya win medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Pune, India, Wangari decided to give the sport a try.
“I admired Team Kenya’s success in India. Besides, someone told me the medals were going to make the athletes rich. From that moment I resolved to pursue athletics to escape poverty,” said Wangare, whose role models are Janeth Jepkosgei and Pamela Jelimo.
But it was not until 2011 that Wangari joined Nyahururu-based Mfae Athletics Club after being introduced by a neigbhour. Since she was relatively new in athletics and she had to train for nine months before taking part in a major competition.
“My first competition was at the annual Ndakaini Half Marathon. My mother registered me for the race after listening to an advert on radio. The race was so tough, I didn’t finish, but I didn’t quit either as I learnt great lessons from it,” she told FeverPitch.
A week later, Wangari decided to try her luck in the Ruring’u 10KM Road Race where she surprisingly won and pocketed Sh10,000.
“I was so disappointed after failing to finish at Ndakaini, I was not sure if I would ever make it in athletics, but winning in Ruring’u reignited my dreams,” she said.
Encouraged by her agent Francis Kamau, she registered for the 2012 Kericho International Tea Marathon in the women’s 10km category and won.
“I landed my first ‘big’ money in Kericho. Getting Sh50,000 was like a miracle,” said Wangare.
It was after the Kericho race that more opportunities came Wangari’s way. A week later, Kamau informed her that Silvia Abymaya, an athletics manager from Germany, had shown interest in her after checking out the Kericho race results online.
Abymaya sent her an air ticket to Germany for organised road races but she was to meet her visa application fees and accommodation.
Luckily, these were paid for by Ndakaini Dam Conservation Association of Kenya (Ndeka), who handle proceeds from the annual UAP Insurance-sponsored Ndakaini Half Marathon. Wangari won all the seven road races in Germany.
Luckily, these were paid for by Ndakaini Dam Conservation Association of Kenya (Ndeka), who handle proceeds from the annual UAP Insurance-sponsored Ndakaini Half Marathon. Wangari won all the seven road races in Germany.
“I thank Ndeka for helping me realise my dreams,” said Wangari, who is now the Ndakaini Half Marathon ambassador.
Ndeka chairman James Mukuna, who confirmed they are still sponsoring Wangari during international races, says through her, they will encourage athletes to join the newly formed Ndakaini Athletics Club whose aim is to nurture talent.
Wangari and paralympian Henry Wanyoike have registered for September 2, 2015 Ndakaini Half Marathon, in the 10km category.
Courtesy of standardmedia.co.ke