Maasai in 2013 New York Marathon

In December 2012, MWCT held the inaugural Maasai Olympics where our friends at AECOM provided the winner of the 5000 meter race with an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to run the New York Marathon. The winer was Jacob Lamaron, from a small village in Rombo, near Kuku Group Ranch. Having never been out of Kenya before, Jacob was demonstrated excitement to run for MWCT in this special way.

Competitors in last years' Maasai Olympics

In 2009, the New York Marathon was a monumental occasion for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, and three other Maasai warriors. Edward Norton, President of the US Board for MWCT, hosted three local Maasai, along with Luca Belpietro, in New York. The purpose of this adventure was to raise funds for the Trust through Edward Norton’s established website CrowdRise. The fundraising efforts were extraordinarily successful, raising over $1 million for MWCT. You can read more about the marathon of 2009 right here.

Due to it’s success in 2009, MWCT wanted to keep it’s presence in the marathon by continuing to send local Maasai to have the chance to run in the marathon that contributed to so much success for this community. Although Jacob was chosen to run in the marathon many months ago, it was by no means an easy journey to get him to New York for November 3.

Jacob - 2013 Maasai marathon competitor

Jacob is from a very small village and grew up in the Maasai community his whole life. He would first need a birth certificate, a passport, and a visa, a treacherous journey of its own. After months of working, and thanks to the tireless work of MWCT's team, including our friend, former US Ambassador to Kenya, Mark Bellamy who was able to help by speeding up the Visa process, and on Thursday Oct 31st, Jacob had his visa and boarded his first-ever plane and landed in NYC at 5 pm on Friday November 1st!

By keeping many of the other details out, it was a very long process that involved contact with many connections, in Kenya and in the United States. However, it is evident in a situation like this, that true kindness and generosity can be seen through the works of many people to create an everlasting memory for one man.

Absorbing the sights of New York and riding the subway

In only two hours after landing, Jacob met US MWCT Board President, Edward Norton and the entire MWCT Marathon team at out pre-race event at Modo Yoga in Manhattan. The next day was full of new experiences: a bagel breakfast, Times Square, first subway ride, and at last, ending with a large spaghetti dinner.

The US MWCT team couldn't get enough of Jacob. The connection to all that MWCT does, thought Jacob, was tangible and incredibly motivating for all that met him.

Jacob on the ferry to the marathon starting line!

Bib numbers in hand! Ready to run...

The next morning was marathon day! Jacob is truly talented and had an amazing marathon time of 2 hours 20 minutes in the Chyulu Hills while practicing here in Kenya. But unfortunately because it was not an official race, Jacob was not qualified to start earlier than the other thousands of recreational runners. Jacob started with the "herd" of runners at 10:30 a.m..

Despite all these circumstances, he was running at an astounding pace, averaging six minute miles until the 10 kilometre mark, in which he unfortunately sustained an slight knee injury that caused his pace to slow down. His finishing time for the total marathon distance of 42 kilometres was 2 hours and 58 minutes. An unbelievable time! Although Jacob said he was not very happy with his time, it was truly remarkable to place under 3 hours for having travelled multiple hours, along with experiencing a different culture, eating different food, running with different shoes, and running on pavement!

Sampling Gatorade flavours post-marathon 

Fortunately Jacob is recovering well from his slight injury, and had the warmest support from many people in New York that were there to run alongside him, or to just cheer him along.

Relaxing in the morning the day after the marathon

MWCT and the entire Marathon team are forever inspired by Jacob's courage and determination. If you would be interested in running on the MWCT NYC Marathon team, please email mwct.team@gmail.com. We can't wait for 2014!

A big thank you must be extended to ALL of those in New York, the AECOM team, and the rest of those in the US who helped make Jacob's experience a successful and memorable one. All of us here at MWCT were very excited to welcome Jacob home! Please enjoy the video below of Jacob being welcomed home by the President of MWCT, Samson Parashina!

You can find the video on YouTube here: Welcome Home Jacob