THUNDER BAY – Gilbert Kiptoo says Thunder Bay changed his life.
When the Kenyan runner, and five-time defending champion of the Firefighters’ Ten Mile Road Race, first came to the city in 2010 this was just another stop on his race calendar.
Since then, this has become his second home.
“When we started coming we didn’t get to know that many people. We were staying in a hotel,” Kiptoo said on Saturday before the final pre-race run for the Fresh Air Ten Mile Training Group.
“Now we’re staying with friends and we don’t spend anything while we’re here. That’s a big thing because some have come (to Kenya) and they know I want to treat them the same way they treat me here.”
Kiptoo has been warmly embraced by community members every time he visits the city, who have helped him with his efforts to make a difference back home.
In his first trip he made a strong connection with Sandy Guthrie, the co-organizer of the training group, and they’ve developed a special bond ever since. Guthrie is referred to as Kiptoo’s “Canadian Mama.”
Guthrie has been instrumental in fundraising efforts, which have contributed more than 3,000 pairs of used shoes and the ongoing construction of a school.
“It has changed his life. We’ve seen it, I’ve been there,” she said. “His life has changed forever and it changed for the good.”
Over the past 18 weeks, as the training group has prepared for their race, they were also working together to make a difference. The nearly 200 members of the group raised $3,000, which will be donated to Community Education Services Canada to go towards the school, which already has seven classrooms and a kitchen built.
Even though he will be lining up at the start of the race on Monday, Kiptoo already knows he will be surrendering his crown.
He injured himself while preparing for the Vancouver Marathon, and knows he is unable to compete at 100 per cent.
Despite that, the thought of skipping this race never crossed his mind.
“I wanted to set a good example for the community,” he said. “I thought it would be a good idea to run while injured, to show everybody you can still run…It’s not all about winning sometimes. Let me set an example.”
Kiptoo, who is used to breaking away and being alone up front, will get a different perspective with this year’s race.
He volunteered to serve as a pacer for the nine minute per mile group, a role he is looking forward to serving.
“I’m excited to actually run with them and for them to finish,” he said.
“It will be fun.”
