African Runners in Boston Marathon

For my first blog post I would like to discuss an event that has happened in the United States that has a tie to Africa. BCC News: Africa reports on African runners that were affected by the explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Eight Kenyan runners were in the Boston Marathon and luckily none of them were injured, although two South Africans were sent to the hospital for minor injuries. Of the Eight Kenyan runners was Wesley Korir, 2012 winner of the Boston Marathon, who came in fifth this year. The explosion happened two hours after Korir finished the race and when he heard of the news he thought it was very scary. After hearing of the explosions he immediately checked on his parents-in-laws and coach who were also in town for the marathon. Even though it was a very scary event Korir says he will continue to compete in marathons, and if Boston holds it again next year he will come back. Korir made the statement to BCC News “My attitude to marathons will never change but my attitude to life may change.”

Above are pictures of Wesley Korir during the Boston Marathon. (Retrieved from ESPN: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9166502/endurance-sports-2012-boston-marathon-winner-wesley-korir-runs-bigger-cause-kenya) 

The article from BCC News shows that the blasts during the Boston Marathon have affected people all over the world. Wesley Korir was celebrating with Kenyan’s Rita Jeptoo, who had just won the women’s race, and he stated “The joy that we had has all been taken away.” The prior quote is a heartbreaking one, because they were celebrating a great moment, one of their own winning the marathon and then it was damped by the tragedy. Korirs other statement saying his life attitude to life may be altered by this event is also very emotional. He may have a new outlook on something’s in his life due to this event. 

A link to the article here.