Tegla Loroupe’s marathon for peace, hope and unity passes West Pokot
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
A marathon stretching hundreds of kilometres is rarely just about running. For Ambassador Tegla Loroupe, every step of her ongoing ‘Marathon for Peace’ is carrying a bigger message for peace, education, hope and a better future for refugees and host communities.
Loroupe, one of Kenya’s most celebrated distance runners and a renowned peace advocate, is leading an 840-kilometer, week-long peace and awareness run from Kakuma and Kalobeyei to Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
The journey is passing through nine counties, including West Pokot, bringing together athletes, refugees, young people, local communities and peace advocates in a campaign that seeks to draw attention to the challenges facing refugees while promoting peaceful coexistence.
As the team passed through West Pokot, residents, security personnel and county officials turned out to welcome and see off Loroupe and her team.
Loroupe said the run was not about adding another medal to her impressive career but about using sport to speak for communities that continue to face hardship.
“We are not running for medals, but we are running for a cause. We are running for the plight of refugees and local communities, to foster peace, promote education and give hope to those who need it most.”
The former world-record holder and first African woman to win the New York City Marathon has for years used her sporting influence to advance peace initiatives through the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation.
This time, her message is particularly focused on the need for peaceful elections and stronger communities.
“This marathon is also a message to the communities across the nine counties that we need peace now, peace during the elections, and peace after the elections. Our young people must be given the opportunity to vote peacefully, live peacefully and build their communities together.”
The marathon also comes at a time when humanitarian programmes supporting vulnerable communities have faced funding challenges. Loroupe said the impact is often felt most by people already struggling with poverty and limited access to essential services.
“Food security is peace. Education is peace. Opportunity for our youth is peace. When people have food, education and hope, they have a reason to choose peace over conflict.”
The significance of the journey was also reflected in the participation of Eliza Lopilale, a former bandit from West Pokot who abandoned jungle gangsterism and embraced the peace movement after taking part in the inaugural Tegla Loroupe Peace Race in 2003.
Lopilale, who hails from Lelan and now lives in Kanyarkwat, joined the peace team and has since worked closely with Loroupe, serving as her Personal Assistant.
Her journey from armed conflict to peace advocacy has made her participation particularly symbolic. Once associated with banditry, she is now using her experience to encourage communities to abandon violence and embrace dialogue and development.
Lopilale is determined to remain part of the Marathon and is willing to run the whole course, demonstrating her commitment to the cause that helped transform her own life.
Loroupe will also be joined by Congolese refugee and Peace Ambassador, Msafiri Francois, who is also determined to see through the whole Marathon.
Through sports diplomacy, Loroupe and her team continue to engage communities affected by conflict, encouraging rival groups to lay down their weapons, engage in dialogue and pursue opportunities that can improve livelihoods.
The Marathon for Peace is also highlighting the potential of refugees and host communities to contribute positively to society. Loroupe says refugees should not be viewed merely as recipients of humanitarian assistance, but as people with talents, skills, dreams and the capacity to contribute to their communities.
“Kenyans have won many medals on the track, and we are proud of them. But this time, we are not chasing a medal. We are chasing something greater which is peace, unity, education and hope for our people.”
The journey has received support from government agencies, county governments, development partners, security teams and other stakeholders. Loroupe has particularly acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Sports, Athletics Kenya, Dubai Energy, the African Union, UNHCR, ANOCA, the Nyamira County Government and other partners.
For the communities along the route, however, the significance of the Marathon goes beyond the runners passing through their towns especially in pastoralist counties where banditry has been a perennial menace.
It is a reminder that peace requires collective effort from governments and organisations to young people and ordinary citizens.
And for Loroupe, the ultimate prize is not one that can be placed around the neck.
“Winning medals comes with pride. But winning peace for Africa will be my greatest victory. That is the legacy I want to leave behind, and it will mark my retirement from track and field.”
As the runners continue towards Nairobi, the message remains clear, every kilometre is a step towards peace, and every community along the route is being invited to become part of that journey.
By Parklea Ivor
Reporting originally appeared via Kenya News Agency. Read the full source for additional context.