Beyond zero that almost become zero

Beyond zero that almost become zero


When I was traveling back from TZ on that Monday after the marathon, my mind was still grappling with the possibility of running another competitive marathon hardly six days after the TZ full.  This was against the background of a chatter, that I had already had in the shuttle, that the folks were ‘not boarding’ this run.  They were giving it a wide berth since this run brushed the wrong side of their political convictions.  

Their stand was that it was the government that should be in charge of medicare, and not the runners!  Of course, this type of debate is hard to win.  After all, doesn’t every run have a cause that the government should be in charge of, but we still go for them?  Ndakaini for water, Stanchart for ophthalmology and Mutuini for literacy?  

However, believe me when I tell you that you cannot win an argument over political convictions.  The other argument that you cannot win is one on religious convictions.  I have learnt to respect these two philosophies according to points of view of the people involved, and would change the topic in a hurry when these topics come up.

So there I was, seated on ‘jampu siti’, listening to the backbenches saying that the BZ marathon was a no-goner.  As already stated, I did not wish to join in.  From my point of view, the only reason why I was likely to miss this run was just because I was tired from the Kili.  My political view on this event was hidden from view.  

Due to the various points of view, this marathon was therefore not mentioned much on our WhatsApp discussions.  It was as if all were afraid to talk about it.  I kept my quiet too, even as people shared all manner of things on WhatsApp including some meme about some football in EPL, which is responsible for many lost bets.

I made a final decision to participate in this marathon when that SMS that beeped on my phone on a Feb. 26 came through.  The deal was just too good…
Register before Feb. 28 and have your running kits delivered for free within Nairobi… 
 

Imagine being seated at Uthiru and you see that BZ rider coming your way with a kit – without even raising a leg!  Who could resist such a do nothing at all, free delivery of the kit?  Not me!

Little did I know that there was a catch to this message?  The catch came about when I registered online, paid up by card and had to make a choice on how to get the kit.  And as sure as the sun rises from the East, there was no option for ‘free delivery’.  What we had on that website was a choice of either ‘collect from KICC’ or ‘collect from AK Nyayo Stadium’.

“Liars!,” I shouted loud while looking at the computer screen, two thousand shillings already deducted from my card.
“These lying #$%@,” I could not resisting vitrioling. 
I almost called my bank to have the transaction reversed, but what had been done had now been done.
I had egg all over my face as I painfully selected ‘collect from KICC’.
“KICC indeed!,” I could not stop.

However, that was not the end of it.  I was not going to take this lie lying down.  I went to the contact pages of the BZ marathon as indicated on the website and called the telephone number provided of the organizers.  The phone rang answered.  I called the second number listed on the page.  It rang and timed out.
“For crying out loud!,” I cried out loud!

Finally, I got to one of those ‘fill the form below to contact us’ website sections and filled it up, stated to the IMG organizers that they had promised delivery of kits and they had no choice but to deliver the kit to my address in Uthiru, which I indicated on that form.  I went further to tell them that I would be expecting that kit by the time I am would be back to the city.  I left my contacts in case they had a rejoinder….


But… Here I was, traveling back from TZ on a Monday.  There was no response from IMG or BZ.  Then… Then it just occurred to me that I could as well collect the kit from KICC, now that my shuttle would be dropping me at their city centre’s office near Jeevanjee.  

I would lose nothing by walking the 1km to the KICC collection point, though I was still feeling cheated, even as I guided my footsteps through Muindi Bingu street, then City Hall way before getting to KICC.  I passed through security and was at the KICC grounds to collect my kit.

More bad news awaited….
“I have come to collect my kit, and that of my colleague Barbara.”
“Let me see, let me check,” the lady at the 21km registration desk started on the list, four other eyes from her two colleagues following suit.
“Sorry, your name is not in the list,” she said, “Let us try Barbara’s.  What is her other name?”
I told them.

They repeated the routine of looking at the list.
Two minutes later, “Sorry your names are not on the list.  Did you register?”
“Why would I be here?,” I thought of responding.  Instead, my good nature took over the conversation, “Of course.  See this confirmation from Beyond Zero,” I showed them the phone screen, where the email confirmation was already open.

They did another check, and another “Your names are not on the list.”
That is when the lightbulb hit them and they asked for new data, “We need the reference number that you got from Pesapay.”
While mine was one email down my inbox, I had to call Barbara and wait for her to respond, which took about ten minutes.  However, she got me the long reference number.

That would not be the end…..
“What cause are you running for?”
“Are you people for real?,” I almost shouted.  I do not know why that shout did not come from my mouth.
“But I already provided this information during registration?,” I said, surprised that I was this restrained.
“Yes, but we do not have the registration details.”
“You people are messed up!,” why I failed to say this statement of truth still makes me wonder upto now!

They would finally read this information from the same message that came from Pesapay.  And just when I thought that I would have a good ending….
“There goes,” she handed me a Tee and a number, “that is for Barbara.”
I held it, in a manner of to confirm the two items.
“And that is your,” she handed another duo.
 

I remained put.
“Anything a miss?”
“Yes!,” I responded, “Where are the bags?”
The three looked at each other.  Can you believe that they just said a casual, “We do not have them yet.”

I left KICC vowing not to participate in this run.  Enough was enough!


Barbara would later send me a message that she was looking forward to yet another marathon with the very coach.  But the clincher came when Beryl sent a WhatsApp message that we shall be running on Sunday to compensate for the IKM ‘running for love’ marathon that she missed. 
That does it!

 
I was going for this run.  I could not let the gals down.  This run was happening….


And happening in did, when I woke up at five on this Sunday morning and took an early breakfast.  I had hardly slept for five hours, having gone to bed around one.  It is the alarm from the two phones that got me out of bed, cursing.  The phones were so far from my reach, and were set so loud, that I just had to get up and be sober by the time I had managed to silence them.  I just had to be read to leave. 

I left the house at ten to six and walked to the Nakuru highway to get a vehicle to town.  I was in a matatu by five past six.  The vehicles traveled smoothly until we got to Westlands, when we faced the traffic jam.  I already knew what it was… road closure.

I disembarked at Villa Rosa, as all vehicles were being diverted to the left, onto the road next to that Villa.  The time was just about 6.40am.  The road towards town, just after Rosa, was free of any traffic.  I would soon start meeting up with the runners as all walked towards Nyayo.  

I would soon start jogging towards Nyayo, a distance that turned out to be four kilometres.  I should however be thanking that jog, since I reached the starting line at 6.58am and hardly had any time to settle down before the run started at exactly seven.  And the start was without any fanfare, just a countdown and off we left.

The weather was cool, following the previous night’s rains.  The run started on Uhuru highway outside the Nyayo stadium and we started running on the way back towards Villa Rosa. 
“I should have just have waited there!”, I thought out loud. 
 

We ran on the overpass at Museum hill roundabout and were once again down onto Uhuru highway to run back towards Nyayo.  Two runs within the city centre, at Parliament road and Haile Sellasie avenue made up for some distance, before we were back to Nyayo stadium to take a left turn on Bunyala road, all the way to Jogoo road, and back to the stadium via Lusaka road.

There was plenty of water available to the runners at the various water points along the route, each point about five kilometres from the previous one.  The weather remained cool.  The weather remained good.  Back to Uhuru highway and we had to take some bit of Mombasa road upto Belle Vue and back.  It was quite a relaxed run, and I did not feel any strain at all.  The run was just pure fun, no pressure, lots of company, lots of water…. And of course, the very fine weather.

I would finally get to the finish point at Nyayo stadium, clocking 1.38.08 for 21.46 (4.34min/km pace) according to Endo, while Runkeeper gave me a 1.38.15 for 21.24km (4.38min/km pace).  As per convention, pick the worst of both world to get your final stats – so 21.24 in 1.38.15 it is! 
Let me see if the official results shall tally. 

Apart from the tight security within the stadium, where runners were hardly being allowed to stay around, all seemed well and all finishers were jovial.  However, one thing was still missing…

“Where do we collect our medals?,” I approached some lady at the stadium, who was adorning a nametag in a manner to suggest that she was part of the organization of the marathon.
She looked at me, unsure.  The response did not surprise me, “Eh… Ah… I also do not know!”
Some runner would soon appear within the stadium with a medal hanged on his neck.  He is the one who directed me to get out of the stadium and get the medal ‘somewhere out there’

WWB, the coach, Nairobi, Kenya, Mar. 8, 2020

Marathon calendar for 2018 - updated 10-Aug-2018

Marathon calendar for 2018

Run	Date	Details
1.Kilimanjaro marathon - Moshi, Tanzania	March 3 Saturday - (DONE)	42k, 21k, 10k This is a big one and I have been dreaming to participating someday.  Logistics aside, it looks like a good one and colleagues of mine who have participated confess as much.  Now in its 16th edition, this marathon has held steady over the years and I believe it is getting better with time.  I read that they have a limit of registrations to 500, 5250 and 5000 for the three run categories respectively.  The results are out and Kenya took all the top 10 places in men and women runs (42k and 21k), leaving only one no. 2 slot in the ladies’ race to the hosts.  However, East Africa is now one community and anyone in any member state is allowed to win. https://www.kilimanjaromarathon.com
2.First Lady’s Half Marathon - Nairobi (Nyayo stadium)	March (tentative 10th Saturday)- (CANCELLED)	21km, 10km, 5km This was an initiative of the Kenyan first lady to champion for medical facilities to assist women and children especially to support safe delivery.  The programme under the ‘Beyond Zero’ campaign that aimed at establishing a centre/clinic in each of the 47 counties in Kenya.  It was held for 4 years before the political storm of 2017 that affected many other marathons did not stare it either.  With heated political debates at the national arena, the organizers had no choice but to cancel the 4th edition 2017 event (which I had already registered for).  The 2018 event has not been mentioned, though it is usually held early March.  It is safe to assume it shall not be held this year either.  Could it be the end of this once great run?  The third major one in the city, after Nairobi International and Sotokoto?  The marathon event no longer features on the website, though it used to. https://www.beyondzero.or.ke/
3.Run for the bibleless - Nairobi (Uhuru Gardens)	March 10 Saturday - (DONE)	10km, 4km run/walk for charity This event celebrates its 11th anniversary this year, with 4km and 10km runs/walk in the card, to accommodate all who support the cause, from the very young to the elderly.  It is worthy of your support and participation.  Being non-competitive, it gives you time to run/walk in a relaxed environment, without the pressures that come with a competitive run https://btlkenya.org/index.php/rftb
4.Rift Valley marathon - Mosoriot (Eldoret)	March 17 Saturday - (DONE)	42k, 21k, 10k Mosoriot is located 30km from Eldoret and this marathon is another one held at the home of champions.  It was not well publicized, despite the main sponsor in 2018 being Kwese free sports, a leader in sports broadcasting in Kenya.  Being in the 6th edition, they can surely do better.  There is no follow-up information on whether it was held or not.  What we can see is a KShs.1.9M sponsorship cheque, and a photo op for the sponsors.  Their website is informative about accommodation option, which resolves one hinderance when planning for marathons out of your home town https://riftvalleymarathon.com/
5.Mater Heart Run – Nairobi (where it all began)	May 26th Saturday - (DONE)	10k walk/run for charity Usually held at Nyayo stadium but venue may change to Uhuru park due to ongoing renovations at the stadium.  The website does not give the count of the number of runs that the event has held since when.  However, from reading and interpretation, the Cardiac Programme at Mater started in 1995, with the run being the main fund raising event.  That would mean that this is the oldest run in Kenya now on its 24th edition in 2018. Now the run in held in 8 other towns on the same day (Mombasa, Machakos, Mumias, Kisumu, Nyeri, Meru, Nakuru and Eldoret) http://materheartrun.com/
6.Kericho international marathon - Kericho	May (tentative, 12th Saturday) - STATUS UNKNOWN	42k, 21k, 10k The marathon should be doing its 10th edition.  However, the only information available is from a 2014 article, "Following embarrassing confusion last year where some athletes covered 52km instead of the standard 42.195km, the organizers of the fifth Kericho Tea Board of Kenya International Marathon have been put on notice..." (*CapitalFM, 2014).  Their FB page was last updated in 2013 when they were advertising this May 4th run that resulted into that half-century milestone.  I am not sure if they even held the May 10th event in 2014 since there is so little information about this marathon, which is another one in the home of champions. https://www.facebook.com/events/372602532857770/ *CapitalFM (2014). "Kericho marathon put on notice". Retrieved 19-Mar-2018 from https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/sports/2014/04/04/kericho-marathon-put-on-notice/
7.Mt. Kilimanjaro marathon - Moshi, Tanzania	June 24 Sunday STATUS UNKNOWN	42k, 21k, 10k I wonder why two marathons should be held in the same town, with names that are almost similar.  I had to really search around to differentiate the Kilimanjaro marathon and the Kilimanjaro marathon Mt.  The marathon is a 4 loop event on a 10.5km course, starting at Moshi country club.  They state that they are doing this event for the 28th year - isn't that a record!  The details of route, accommodation etc. are a bit sketchy, but a 12-day package that includes the marathon and mountain climb costs $5,300 or one can forego the climb and pay $3,400. http://www.mtkilimanjaromarathon.com/
8.Lewa marathon - Lewa (Conservancy - closer to Isiolo than Nanyuki)	June 30 Saturday (DONE)	42k, 21k The 18th edition of the run features both the full- and half-marathon events.  This run observes strict registration deadlines and runner limits... and to prove the point, the have already closed registration for the full and half marathons for 2018!  They have a well laid out website that is fully informative.  For now, 'entry for the children's 5km race and spectators are still open' according to the site.  I like the '...and spectators' registration. https://www.safaricom.co.ke/safaricommarathon/
9.Sotokoto marathon – Nairobi (Uhuru Garden)	July (confirmed for 1st July, Sunday) *DONE: Changed to a shorter 10k and held at Muguga	21k, 10k, 5k This is one of those erratic runs in the city.  Their main challenge is lack of a solid sponsor.  They have relied on sponsorship from Japan but this seems not to have been guaranteed.  They have not been able to do the run annually, with last year being another skipped year though they it was held their 6th edition in 2016, which I attended.  Before then, their last run was in 2013.  With no website and a stale FB page, then there seems to be rough times ahead for this beautiful event  https://www.facebook.com/sotokotomarathon/ http://www.sotokotomarathon.co.ke/
10.Mwea classic marathon - Mwea (Mwea Seconday School)	July (tentative 21st Saturday) STATUS UNKNOWN	21k, 10k, 5k They are doing Mwea-9 this year.  That is quite encouraging, from humble beginnings to almost the 10th anniversary.  Keep going Mwea marathon.  I have heard of this marathon in the same period, hence their publicity is improving.  They could learn something from Ndakaini marathon if they want some competition from the veterans in the city, but maybe they want to keep the competition local? http://mweaclassicmarathon.co.ke/
11.Menengai Geothermal marathon - Nakuru	August (tentative 18th Saturday)	21k, 10k The last time I heard about this marathon was in 2014.  I doubt if there has been any other marathon since.  They do not have an online presence, apart from an FB page that was last updated in 2014, when they held their 3rd edition.  It seemingly has quite beautiful scenery and was one of the marathons on my wish list.  That wish may just remain that, a wish. https://www.facebook.com/menengai.marathon
12.Ndakaini marathon - Ndakaini, (Gatanga, 45km from Thika)	September (tentative 8th Saturday)	21k, 10k, 5k This has also been quite a consistent marathon and I can attest to its growth over time, in terms of organization, logistics and number of participants.  It started in 2004 and shall be on Ndakaini-15 this year, which is quite something.  The organizers recognized the importance of participants from the city since inception, and have been providing transport from and back to Nairobi for those who want to get to the venue.  This has helped a great deal.  It is traditionally held on the 2nd Saturday of September, apart from last year when it was moved to the last Saturday forcing me to miss out since I was free for the second but not last Saturday.  They should know that we also run on tight schedules and postponing is not a good option! http://uapndakaini.uap-group.com/
13.Kass marathon - Eldoret (Town centre)	September (tentative 18th Sunday)	42k, 21k, 10k This marathon was gaining reputation as the big thing in North rift and had consistently managed to hold the event with a 10th year anniversary in 2016... then they failed to hold the event last year.  We hope that their stoppage was temporary and that they shall be hosting us this November for yet another run with the champions.  I am keen to participate in this run this year.  They better not let me down http://www.kassmarathon.com/
14.Mombasa marathon - Mombasa	September (tentative 30th Sunday)	42k, 21k, 10k, 5k I cannot believe that this event celebrated its 34th edition in 2017! (though Wikipedia states that last year's was 33rd).  It would mean that it is twice older than Nairobi marathon, just when I thought Nairobi marathon was king of marathons!!  I can only imagine the 'heat' that this marathon faces!  Running at sea level in high humidity and high temperatures.  I want to pertain of this, though it shall compete with Ndakaini marathon which is on the same month - but two is better than 1.  Unfortunately, they do not have an online site that is upto date.  Their FB page was last updated Jan. 2016, seriously!) https://www.facebook.com/MombasaInternationMarathon/
15.Madoka  half marathon - Ngerenyi, Taita Taveta	October (tentative 27th Saturday)	21k, 10k, 8k, 6k, 4k, 2k The first worry would be how to get there.  It is not one of the most accessible places and hence you must plan your travel well and find your way to the venue at least a day before the run.  Then... just enjoy the beautiful mountain terrain of Taita taveta.  It seems hot, but there is only one way to find out.  It also boasts of having the largest number of run events on the cards.  The various events are meant to encourage participation by all age groups from the under 12s to senior citizens.  The inaugural run was held in 2005, hence this year's event should be the 14th edition, if they have been consistent, which I doubt.  This is another event to spoil you for choice in October.  For those who do not know, 'Ngerenyi' (location of the run) is associates with a famous musician who had sent her fiancée, Stella, to Japan for further education, only for him to be surprised on May 17 when she came back with another guy (and a baby just to make the story complete).  That is a fully loaded story for another day, and one that I want to get to the bottom of, once I get to Ngerenyi probably this year.  To get to Ngerenyi, find your way to Voi first, then Mwatate, then Wundanyi then look around.... http://madokamarathon.or.ke/
16.Nairobi International Marathon – Nairobi (Nyayo Stadium)	October 28 Sunday	42k, 21k, 10k, 5k This has been held the last Sunday in October since inception in 2003, apart from last year when it was postponed to the last Sunday in November due to the prolonged national elections.  This is the biggest run in Kenya at the moment.  It is also the only run that has been consistent in dishing out medals and finishers certificates ever since.  You cannot imagine missing out.  While my count convinces me that this would the 16th edition, the organizers claim it is the 15th.  That would mean that they either did not do a run in 2003 or there is one year when the run was not held in this period.  Calculate for yourself. http://www.nairobimarathon.com/
17.Kakamega Forest Ingo Marathon – Kakamega (Shinyalu/Mukumu)	November (tentative 25th Sunday)	42k, 21k, 10k This is the only marathon where start and finish points are miles apart.  That means that you need to carry your luggage if you intend to run, finish and leave).  The inaugural run was held in 2015 and I doubt if they held their 2017 event.  I hope that they shall be back this year.  And, ‘ingo’ means ‘home’.  Taking the opportunity to listen to Jacob Luseno, a famous crooner from Kakamega marvel at the wonders of ‘ingo’ urging all to ‘khutsi ingo’ (let us go to our rural areas)… and this time round, for this run. http://ingomarathon.or.ke/
18.Kisumu marathon - Kisumu city	December (tentative 16th Sunday)	42k, 21k, 10k The 11th edition was run last year. I wonder if they have been consistent in the period since this is an on/off marathon that I have heard in the past few years.  I wish that they can firm up its place as a permanent event in December.  The marathon has a unique place as the only one in December and the only one at a major lake side town.  It and Kakamega marathon are the only two in the whole western region.  It also is the only other 'hot' run, apart from Mombasa marathon.  It should do better in terms of online presence and publicity.  Let them do both and I shall be with them on 16th. *no website reference available

And... can you believe that Athletics Kenya, the custodian and our authoritative source of information on all athletics events has a 509-error on their website?  For the non-savvy, 509 internet access error is for 'site non-accessible since the site has reached the bandwidth limit' in layperson language, the site cannot transfer any more data until they either increase their limit or wait for the next period with new bandwidth allocation.  Surely!!  AK cannot afford data to give us, their follows, information!!

http://www.athleticskenya.or.ke/events-calendar/

(*shows 509 error, Accessed 19-Mar-2018)

The run menu is so elaborate that runners are spoilt for choice this time round.  Just pick any three, one for charity and another two competitive ones for the adrenaline and you are good in 2018.

Barack Wamkaya Wanjawa, Nairobi, Kenya, June 19, 2018

Sotokoto 6 with ones and firsts

Sotokoto 6 with ones and firsts

One am
I slept at one AM on July 3, 2016 – same day of the big run.  Thank Germany for this.  I had bet on them winning the quarter final match against Italy at the ongoing UEFA European Champions Football tournament in France.  I was confident of sleeping by 11.30pm when they scored their first goal in the second half for the match that started at 10.00pm.  However, it was not to be.  The game ended 1-1 by 90 minutes.  Extra time was a must, and no more goals were scored in the additional 30 minutes.  

I was therefore awake past mid-night to witness the penalty shootouts.  I have been ‘listening’ to the penalties in the last month, but I discovered that a local free to air channel was showing the matches and had my opportunity to watch the shoot-outs.  And who would have expected that both teams can squander three penalties a piece at the initial five kicks each?  The match was therefore won on the 9th kick of the extra five kicks.  I hope ‘the machine’ does not keep me waiting this long as they advance to the semis.  (Read a previous blog story where I lost a bet on some matches leading to this quarter finals stage.  I was therefore a bit passionate about my bets at this point.  So far all but one had come true.  The single miss being the Portugal-Poland tie, where the penalty shoot out let down my Poland bet)

Kumi na moja
That is the time was that I was taking breakfast, ready to leave the house for the bus stage.  I was at the Nakuru highway at 5.20am and got into a matatu ten minutes later.  I landed at the city centre at six and walked to Haile Sellasie – Uhuru Highway junction to await a vehicle.  This next vehicle took me past Nyayo stadium to the diversion at T-Mall, where the left side of the road was already closed and had to share the wrong side of the road with oncoming traffic.  I walked from Wilson Airport to Uhuru gardens – a ten minute walk – to warm me up ready for the run.

One toilet
The athletes had already started gathering at Uhuru gardens by the time I arrived at the gardens compound about seven.  It is usual to empty the body ready for such a run, and that is what forced me to the usual directions of the washrooms.  I was glad to see the single toilet block, though I wondered why they did not think of portable ones or any other way of coping with the expected numbers.  Woe to me, when I reached the block to find it locked.

“Wapi choo?,” a colleague in front of me asked the stranger standing around.  He could have been an official of Sotokoto or a cop or just someone in some uniform.

“Eh!... Imefungwa?,” he asked and answered himself, “Sijui”
A lady who was just ahead kind of pressed her mid-part with his hands, tried to walk aimlessly, but could not hold it any longer.  She just crouched and let go.  The two gents, and those behind us, now at an abrupt stop, just out of a locked block, decided to look elsewhere.  Luckily, there was a ticket on the fringes of the gardens.  The guys just watered the thicket.  Those with ‘heavier’ ideas fertilized the thickets, just almost in plain sight.

Saa moja
“Ni saa moja,” someone announced on the public address system, “Twakata kuanza mbio.  Wote waende kwa barabara nje ya compound hii.”

For the benefit of the foreigners, evidently Japanese, who were the main sponsored, she translated, “We are about to start the run.  All are asked to get out of this compound to the main road.”

Soon a crowd gathered outside Uhuru gardens, on the tarmac road now closed to traffic, next to some two signs of both of the road, written “START”

First Lady
We got to learn that the run shall be flagged off by the first lady of the republic, Mrs. UK.  Time started running and no sight of our host. Runners just milled around, some in chatter, others in thought.  Some took selfies, others watched them take them.  Some warmed up, others stayed put.  Some complained loudly of the delay, others were indifferent.

Three outrider motorbikes followed by three dark Mercedes Benz saloons signaled the arrival of the guest.  A fourth big van, same dark colour, followed at the rear.  As usual, these machinery forcefully ejected the once settled runners out of the comfort of the tarmac and had to seek refuge on the road side for the 30-second duration of the drama.

One hundred
One hundred is the number of runners that I counted at the starting line.  Is this not the worst publicized run in Nairobi?  Raising only 100 runners out of a city of over 1 million!?  Is this a joke or what?  I wonder why the organizers cannot raise the numbers, when other runs are twice expensive in terms of registration fees and these usually marshal over five thousand runners.  

This was the worst attended run ever.  I was been to other three Sotokotos in the past, 2009, 2010 and 2013, but none was this bad.  I tend to think that the organizers just woke up some day in mid-June and decided that they are holding the run.  Contrast that to the Nairobi International marathon, for example, which is already registered runners for the October event, over 3 months in advance.  And, this is just because it is local.  Other international runs at the big arenas in the US and UK register runners almost one year to the event, and close half year before the run.

July 1
Looking back, I was at Uhuru gardens secretariat office of Sotokoto on Friday, July 1 to collect my run number and kit.  This was after receiving official communication that the kits would be ready for all to collect from 9.00am on that Friday and the following day only.  I was taken aback as to how they can issue the runner kits just 48-hours to the event, for all the runners that they were expecting?  Had they deliberately orchestrated this run to fail or what?  How many people can collect kits within 48-hours at such a remote location?  It took me two hours on two public transport vehicles to get to these offices (plus a third broken down matatu and double the fare as a consequence).

“We do not have T-shirts yet,” the lady at the unmarked reception and the equally concealed secretariat office started when she saw my approach.  The reason why I was able to trace this office location was due to precedence.  I just recalled where I got it three years ago.  Without that experience I could have been lost.

“What do you mean?,” was my answer.  They had communicated to me that I should pick the gear, and here they were telling me that there was nothing.  Could they not get their act together first before inconveniencing such philanthropic runners?

1pm
She tried to explain that the kits were late, though they had the run numbers only at the moment.  She said something about suppliers, delays, expected after 1pm, come back later, or come back tomorrow.

“I come from Uthiru, which is in a different province” I told her, “I am not coming back here!  Get me someone who shall give me a solution.”

She hesitated.

“Make no mistake,” I reiterated, “Am not coming back to Langata road until Sunday.”

There is nothing that breaks the toughest of situations that some simple words, which I encountered when finally some guy came into the office, “Apologies, we are very sorry that the T-Shirts are not available yet.  Truly sorry.  Accept our apologies.”

What say you, when someone apologizes over a situation?  You are completely broken down and your defenses are no longer in place.

“Get me the run number.  I shall use a previous T-Shirt,” I assisted them.

0011
Was I really runner no. 11?  I registered for the event on June 15, having received an invitation through email the previous day.  The registration fee was KShs.1,050 – a strange figure, but when I finally saw the receipt showing only 1,000/=, I understood that the organizers did not want to incur any processing charges through the PesaPal platform that was handling the online payments.

If it was true that I was the eleventh runner, based on the run number, then the registration for this event was worse than I thought.  Add to the delay in providing runner kits in time and you have a situation at your hands.

One stanza
We sung one stanza of the national anthem just after her excellence arrived.  Thereafter, it was a matter of the flag off though a countdown from 10.  At count 1, the blast of a starter gun was heard and all started the run.  I started my timer.

The run route had changed.  I have run from the Nairobi National park to Nyayo stadium and back as was the inaugural run circuit or from Uhuru gardens to Nyayo stadium with two loops and back, as was my second run in Sotokoto two.  

This third run on Sotokoto 6 was taking advantage of the newly build Southern by-pass that connects Langata road to Nakuru highway.  It was a simple enough route – a run from Uhuru gardens, straight to the by-pass to head towards Ngong forest side upto the 10.5km mark for a U-turn back to the stadium.  Just 21km of nothing but pure, dark, hard, unforgiving tarmac.

One water point
I had expected some water points along the route, especially at the 5km marker, but this did not turn true.  The ‘5km’ board was lonely at the centre of the road with no water point on site.  It took sheer will power to just keep running without knowing when this vital hydrate shall be available.

The run was uneventful.  They elite runners just sprinted off, while the rest of us veterans tagged along.  The runners were quite few, and that meant that the crowd was think, in fact just a file of runners, usually 20-50m apart.

I met the first runners, the fast ones, at a time of 0.38.00.  They were already on their way back while I was yet to hit the 10.5km turning point.

Water relief!  I meant what a relief!  I finally reach the U-turn, to get the first water point, even as I dip my fingers into the basins that contain some ink.  Just like the First Lady marathon in March, we have a similar dip-fingers-in-ink situation.  Please, invest in some simple timing chip.  Those transmitters cost less than a cent for crying out loud!!  I briefly glance at my stop watch which reads 0.50.00

One (more) water point
I encounter a second water point on my way back, at the 5km mark.  I know it was now there for long, since that is the route I have just been through some 30-minutes ago.  One other rule in running is to ensure that you have some water at all time.  I apply this rule by throwing away the almost empty bottle that I took at the turn-back point and pick a full one.  I run with this to the finishing point.

The way back is easier.  I just realize that the first leg was hilly and the way back is generally on a downhill.

111
I hit the finish line inside the Uhuru gardens and the organizers hand me a small piece of paper.  The number 111 is written on it.  This is my finishing position.  I guessed the runners were one hundred only, but maybe I was wrong.  However, I doubt if they shall be more than 200, based on the numbers that I encountered on the route.

Another round of recording names on the finishers’ sheet, and then a walk to the tent where the blank finishers’ certificates are issued after they put a big cross with a marker pen on the runner bib having the run number.  

The predominantly red lettered cert reads, 
“Certificate of Completion – 2016 Sotokoto Safari Half Marathon.  This Certificate is hereby awarded to dash dash for succeful completion of the Sotokoto Safari Half Marathon dash dash category (21km/5km) race in a time of dash dash.  Awarded on this day of 03rd July 2016.  Signed (signed for sure) Douglas Wakiihuri, SS, Race Organiser, Sotokoto Safari Marathon”

The typo on ‘succesful’ is real.  I had to re-verify to confirm that this typo shall last with us for eternity.

Good thing is that I shall be having the first certificate to show for this event – which I had previously described as the run with nothing to show – no cert no medal.  At least they have now worked the cert part, albeit a dash dash version.  Maybe, just maybe, we shall be looking at some medals soon.

This is what I shall fill on one of the dashes… a time of 1.34.18.  The other parameters such as distance, calories, average speed, max speed, slow speed were not available since I just replaced the bat of the gadget and forgot to calibrate.

11.11am
I alight from the matatu back home at 11.11am.  I finally have my T-shirt as a carryon luggage.  I collected this T after the run.  The organizers had asked me to check before/after the run.  I managed to check after the run, and after sms reminder that, “Pick your size small T-shirt as the only ones remaining”.

I was categorical on the application form that I needed a size L.  I was even the eleventh athlete to register.  How is it possible that I can get a leftover T-shirt of size small?

“You are lucky,” the gentleman at the secretariat office informed me, “I stumbled upon this size M”

Lucky?  Really?

Barack Wamkaya Wanjawa, Nairobi, Kenya, July 3, 2016