The legend, German Silva, runs for Shoe4Africa!

"I was inspired to read More Fire after spending 10 days in Kapkitony in December 2009, and after seeing your recently published picture of William Kiplagat, I thought I would drop you a line to tell you my story about the time I spent there. It's summarised here from my blog that I kept while I was in Tanzania for six months:
http://tz-rider.blogspot.com/2009/12/eldoret-and-stuff.html **Thanks Ross, good stuff and read the 'rare indeed' story of how he won prize money in East Africa in a 5km! That is real bragging rights.

Bikes always get a tough rap, here we are saving the war on carbon poisoning and what do we get?

Coaching the Flyers was fun, for me anyway, I had a nice patch of grass to stand on, and as stand rhymes with land on I suddenly remembered - kudos to the Adidas Gran Prix people who continue to make that meet the go-to track event on the East Coast - a fab triple jump line up with Phillip O from England against Christian O from Sweden...

Well I have been playing catch up. I had a road trip. In fact it was an airplane trip to Indiana. I had a great time there, apart from the telling all the hotel staff that I did not want news about weather for the INDY 500, or learn about the Carb loading something, or free tickets to the warm up laps. I am not that interested in Indy car racing to be honest, or Nascar.

I was in Indiana to talk to the people about the kids hospital there, and joining together. I met an amazing chap called Dr. Jim Lemons & an a truly wonderful group of people -- all new to me, yet I had talked to Dr Lemons two years ago, plus I knew about Dr. Olive... I was not disappointed; a wonderful bunch, and the hospital seems like another step closer -- thank you to all who looked after me. It was an action packed stay!

And also moving forward I am off to Indiana today, not to watch the Indianapolis 500 or whatever it is called, but to talk to the hospital people out there... as I say, so much going on I can hardly keep my head on straight. Got two job offers today - look at me, employed?

Personally I like this picture, it says volumes (not just because I took it). If you are not a runner you might not look at it the way I do. But if you know the story you can understand. This is a double world 5000m champion, also a junior world XC Champion. His name is Ismael Kirui and he has just completed 25-laps of a rock hard sun dried cinder track in a pair of paper thin track spikes, in just over 29-minutes. Despite, at the time of the photo, being the reigning champion he was show no respect and was badly beaten. He sat down in the in-field to... Summarize...

Go and see this film while it is still showing at select theaters!

I truly hope every single Kenyan, every African, will go and see this for its endearing message. People fought for a United Kenya, gave their lives... have we learned? Simply outstanding performances by Naomie Harris and Oliver Litondo who play the two inspiring role models in this film.

Oddly enough this was the first time ever in my life that I have gone to a movie theater, I went with Tony, and we were the only ones in the entire theater! Obviously Kenyan education is not a highlight in the USA but? Funny, we were at the bar opposite before, Vino, hurrying our beers to get there on time... it was cued for us!

Remember please bring your kids along to the Hope & Possibility to run with the Achilles Kids -- free, and not only a free T shirt as well but also a free medal -- you get a medal/T shirt in the adults race too

Anyway, other news - coaching last night with the Flyers; geez I had some good efforts out there, now people are getting used to the 60-minutes of speed *work* - we are moving.

how do the runners want to be portrayed, and what gain comes from printing stories, or telling the stories if they can seriously hurt, or harm someone.

The stories about Sammy continue to pour in; the sad thing is most people did see it coming, all the signs were there, from the five car crashes, from the trouble with a preacher, to the bar stories in the small agriculture high up town of Nyahururu where the likes of Joseph Kimani are still around to show signs of the road too-well lived.

It goes back earlier, to before the Olympics, before he was thrust into a flame of limelight by literally running the world off its feet... it all began, or so this story back in 2003, but now is not the time for telling.

Yesterday I drew the line between Sammy & Benson; not only for the way they lived (identical) but also for the way they could pull their bodies to immortality when they needed to perform. Sammy's last Marathon, Chicago, was probably the greatest ever run. Not because he refused to give up, faced a torrid attack from the then defending London Marathon Champion, a race he had dropped out of looking a tad over his normal racing weight, but for the fact that less than eight weeks before Chicago Sammy looked like a runner who was struggling to remain within sight of his training group. The stride was not there, the form was anywhere but there, and he breathed like a heavy horse.

I am convinced no runner in the world could have done what he did; his legs, body, flesh and skin were like the runners that raced by his side - but his mind burned with fire that no runner could match, and he did the unbelievable. I have never seen that in any other runner... since Benson Masya; both disappeared too young.

The race was a virtual mile better than the Manchester 10km, held over in Britain, where Gebrselassie, in a rather Kenyan-less field, racked up his fourth win. Geb's 28:10, on a flat and faster course, would not have gotten him onto the podium on the rolling hills of Central Park. Good to see Helen Clitheroe of Britain, who train at Pieter & Lornah's camp this winter, winning the ladies race in 31:45

You do wonder about the field in Manchester...

IN fact a lot going on with Shoe4Africa right now, all exciting stuff no less!

A friend emailed to ask 'what is Joyce Chepchumba doing now?'

I remember once when we were packing shoes up in the Bronx Cameron came (and pleased the women) and he brought his girlfriend (who was a spitting image of Angeline Jolie)...

Today was a great day for Shoe4Africa too as I got a grant, wooooweee! I was beginning to think charities like mine did not get grants. Funny enough, I might have mentioned this before, our biggest expense for 2009/2010? It was the 2.5% credit card commission taken when people make a donation. How superb is that eh? You look at almost any charity in the world and they will not be able to tell you something like that - PS, waiting for pics from School #2, I hear it is coming up fast!

Ah the good old days huh, they don't cut cloth like they used to

What a city NY is. I was invited by my friend Marva to an event last night... sitting at my table Tonya Lewis Lee, author of child books, Melville a film producer from Harlem, Bryan Collier another author and illustrator, Kevin Convey, editor in chief at the Daily News, of course Marva who owns Hue-man, and a gentleman who was an opera singer, used to invite people to dinner, people kept on coming, so he decided to build a restaurant and now he has a few-- what a great table to sit at! Wonderful people, thank you all!

Prior to that I had popped into the NYRR building and had a natter there - there it was a 'who are you' Anyway back to lunch they have a chop menu where you get Onion Soup and the bowl is completely covered over the top in melted cheese giving one forethought to what your stomach will look like, then I had french fries & salmon (very good salmon), some small salad thing, then they have dainty desserts too, but I also got a proper slice of cheesecake, with a couple of Heinekens - an excellent lunch, most recommended, plus they have these booths that make it 'quiet' for a perfect mid town meet.

Also dining in there I met Ken, who I have known almost as long as I have lived in NYC, and then also when I was leaving Justine.. so it was a good catch up on friends lunch!

Just as I was finishing up I got a text message from my friend Dave, "I'm being honored tonight at the Plaza, where are you?" Dr. Dave Feldman is one amazing NYU kids doctor, amazing. So I leapt on my bike, cycled up town, and I live 'up' and jumped into a suit, then peddled all the way down to the Plaza, JUST as the speeches were about to begin! What a day! Now the plaza always has rolls royces outside, so here is a pic (As I did not take any on the night) of me in a Rolls, from a few years ago

Pic by Mike Kobal.

In the running news I was so happy to see the continuing good fortune of my friend Lydia Cheromei who won the Prague Marathon - she owns the city having won the half there a month ago. Not only that she ran a PR and got the CR too - 2:22- and Benson Barus won the men's race in 2:07:07 a new PR for him. My fave Benson story happened in NYC, up in Harlem. We are running the Coogan's 5km... in fact why am I writing this story it makes me look bad. (slow). Better concentrate on other things - Talking to Mr. G the weatherman, I told him my ping pong game has improved. He politely lied that I beat him the last time we played.

Anyway, here is a nice picture of Lydia, who (twice) used to be my next door neighbor, once in Iten, once in Eldoret.

Funny thing I went down there with the vague intent, a Korean restaurant, so I forgot even to copy down the address. In fact before hand I had to drop something off for a friend at the Gym. She works there as a trainer, so I phoned the gym, "What time does she start her shift tonight?" And would you believe the guy who answers says, "I can't tell you that, it would be an invasion of her privacy..." OMG who has been day dreaming he is a Navy Seal, so I instead walked into the place... busting open that privacy..

Anyway, so the mind was preoccupied, I got down to 32nd ST and lo and behold every single shop is a Korean restaurant!

Anyway, luckily I found it, don't ask me what I ate, then after we went to a dessert place when I had banana ice cream crepes and Honey bubble something green warm soup tea & various other items of Sugar!

Well this bad weather might put serious skids on my idea of actually running a race this weekend. Having missed the last, urm, series of events I did think about shaking a leg... but if this weather continues I am not too sure.

Tom Cavanagh, from ED, in March, running for the best charity team I can think of - building a Kids Hospital, building Schools.. blah de blah, and filling up our spots!!

A proclamation from the Mayor of New York for the race I direct each June... coming again soon! It is one of the most inspirational events you can imagine. Achilles H&P June 26th

Moses Kiptanui, three times world champion, world record holder 3000m, 3000m ST, 5000m, first man under 8-mins for the steeplechase, John Ngugi, 5x world champion XC, Olympic Gold 5000m, and Matthew Birir, Olympic Gold Steeplechase @ one of my favorite Shoe4Africa events from a couple of years ago - a peace resolution event, "Run for Peace".

PS a couple of years ago at this event the Major of NYC made a proclamation making it Hope & Possibility day, I think I will take a pic of that proc. and post it tomorrow, if I remember, as that is rather cool of Mr. Mayor.

Congrats to the British Royal Family

Anyway, I was training with Moses Tanui when he won the 1996 Boston Marathon. When he came back from winning we were sitting in his living room, taking a cup of tea, and he opened up his suitcase and poured out the possessions onto the floor. He asked me if I would like a souvenir, well his singlet was plain white and I had one from him already, so I picked up the medal, "Can I take this?" I said as a joke as I knew that the unicorn's eye for the winner is a real diamond, and very valuable of course. He said Yes... until I told him, 'Do you know this is a real diamond??"

The medal for the first runner at the Centennial Boston Marathon

Talking of stories I went to see my good friends George & Shay yesterday. First we watched the match Real Vs Barca (George is a big Barca fan), then we had dinner and a long chat, many stories - great stuff!

If you run 2:06 for the marathon you too can have a back garden like this! The man who coached Robert Cheruiyot (the younger) to his Boston Marathon win of 2010, in a time that everyone then thought was amazing... 2:05 on the roads of Boston - geez what a year can do! RC the younger, who used to live in Iten (links) moved out to this area to train and bam boom... but in the picture the man is non other than William Kiplagat.

Tegla Loroupe! One of the most famous of all time Kenyan runners, maybe the most famous female. If I walk in NYC with a Kenyan around marathon time people always stop and ask, "Is that Tegla, are you Tegla?" I remember the year that Joyce won, in 2003 I think, it got to the point that as soon as someone stopped us Joyce would say, "No, I am not Tegla," even before they opened their mouths.

Decent weather seems finally to have come to NYC, in the 60's at least, which is the supposed average for this time of the year.

On the 27th it is lottery day -- are you in the ING New York City Marathon? If you are not and you wish for an entry please do consider running for Shoe4Africa. That is why I was using the word scrapbook [link], I am compiling one for our team of runners.

Also coming up this week; the Royal Wedding, I have been invited to two official breakfasts, coincidentally, one on either side of the atlantic. I will try and make the Consul one on this side of the Ocean.

When Kenyan runners make money, they often build a complex that sells daily basics like a 7-11 in America and name it after their highlight event.

After his success at winning the World Steeplechase Gold in 1999, in Sevilla Spain, Christopher Koskei, brother to Shaheen, to Abraham Cherono, to Jonathan, to June, to the most famous steeplechase family in Kenya, built...

When I held my third peace race in the raging Rift Valley where all Kikuyus had had their homes burned and their lives threatened, where many had been slaughtered, including women and children, I asked John to come to this valley of hating and to be a peace ambassador, to march in front of a school of Kalenjin kids into a heavily guarded refugee camp where 20,000+ Kikuyus now lived in white canvas kids. Where the Kalenjin kids would meet the Kikuyu kids and run together -- John agreed to come, to march at the front for the Kikuyu people alongside Ben Jipcho, the only man to win three commonwealth games medals in the distance events, an Olympic medalist like John, who would represent the Kalenjin.

A question could be what would Mary Keitany have run in Boston? 2:16?

Me, Martin, and a Cow, in January of this year, at his home village.

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Nancy Langat -- An old picture; double gold commonwealth 2010.

Anyway the paint standard leaves something to be desired but it is an improvement!

SO sad news, I have known Grete since I was 12-years old, and can only say she was one of God's chosen people. She touched everyone she met and set the bar so high that she'll never be replaced -- I remember at the start of her illness I had asked her to do a taped interview.... we had nowhere to go in a crowded hotel, so she tramped down to the cellars and sat for an hour; that was Grete. She would make sure that all your questions were completely answered, she was always the friendly face whenever you met her, and she always remained her true self.
My thoughts go out to Jack, her devoted husband, and family.

I am not really a sentimental person, I rarely save letters, cards or the like. I suppose mainly because I used to be that kind of person; I saved everything. If I kicked a stone twice I would put it in my pocket and save it. Then I started traveling, from country to country, to different continents... and that really cuts down on what you save. I have very few running memento's but funnily enough I have saved a card that was sent to me in 1989, I have it on my desk in NYC...

Martin Lel RETURNS!!

Emmanuel Mutai wins London in a new Course Record of 2:04:40, Martin Lel the Gazelle runs the comeback of the year in 2:05:45 out sprinting Patrick Makau, and Mary Keitany PR's by more than a mile (ten minutes) to run 2:19:19, Edna Kiplagat grabs third in 2:20:46 (huge pr), with "Shobucuvz" of Russia PR-ing in 2:20 for second - the only Non Kenyan to jump on the podium.

I texted Martin to wish him good luck and he replied, "Let's hope there is still More Fire!" Yes there is - 2012 is coming!

See how they do it!

The best of luck to World Half Marathon & former World XC Champion, Florence Kiplagat, making a debut at Boston on Monday!

Sharon Cherop (2:22), running at Boston on Monday also, and Edna Kiplagat, NYC Champ, running at London on Sunday! Good luck!

World Half Marathon former Champion - Go Mary Keitany in London!

Go Alice Timbilil in Boston! Amsterdam Marathon 2010 Champion, 2x Olympian & World Champs medalist!

The list goes on, and of course The Simba - running in London!!! All good luck!!

There is a 4-miler in Central Park this Sunday, next Sunday too, another four miler... only difference is that next week starts at 9 instead of 8

Our latest Shoe4Africa Ambassador, Nancy Jebet here with Claudio, a directore.

Olympic Champion Nancy Jebet Langat & her Mum.

Nancy has had a marvelous career, most recently she won the double Commonwealth Games Gold 2010, but her crowning moment was winning that 1500m medal in Beijing and stunning Kenya... she was virtually unbeaten last year, and she is trained by my friend Claudio Berardelli, one of the world's best coaches, and incredibly modest to boot.

Here's Nancy's resume:

1995 1st National Junior Cross Country Champion 1996 3rd World Junior Championships (800m) 1998 38th World Cross Country Championships (Short course) 1998 2nd World Junior Championships (800m) 1999 2nd African Junior Championships (1500m) 2000 1st World Junior Championships (800m) 2004 1st African Championships (1500m) 2004 SF Olympic Games (1500m) 2005 8th World Cross Country Championships (Short course) 2005 heats World Championships (1500m) 2008 4th African Championships (1500m) 2008 1st Olympics Beijing (1,500m) 2009 1st World Athletics Final (1500m) 2010 1st Africa Athletics Championships (1500m) 2010 1st Diamond League Race Final Standings (1500m) 2010 1st Commonwealth Games 800m 2010 1st Commonwealth Games 1500m

Freaky Deaky. I was at the airport and happened to email to Tania (Mo's wife) about something, I told her I had been unable to get a photo taken by a friend of ours (who has a talent at winning Monopoly games). I go down to the gate to check in and who is there... !! Stephane !! Wow. So I talk to Stephane for a while then he goes past security as a lady checks my boarding pass. Anyway I had seat 26k so I was nicely surprised when she returned and I had been upgraded!

On the plane, half way through the flight I walk back down the plane, push back the curtain and who is sitting in the first row in seat 26K.... Stephane!

Enough... so in NYC I decided to "do" the Flyers work out last night. Y'know the Barry White, sometimes the coach has to do what the coach says, just my luck the rain was falling like bricks of grit, lightning was flashing and thunder was slamming - 10-minutes hard up, jog down cat hill, immediately into 10-minutes fast up and fast down, and without any break repeat the whole thing for a 40-minutes total. I got beyond wet.

Kudos to Cotton Lloyd who brought me a loaf of bread; good job as I had no food in the cupboards... only coffee.

London should be a cracker... more on Boston tomorrow (another great field) and also the Prime Minister of Kenya is coming to check out his steeds!

Spotted in Kilimani, near Java Adams Arcade.

The visit to Nancy's home yesterday was great, I met her mum, saw where she was born and photos from when she was first competing back in the early nineties; a good sign that patience pays. I also met her school teachers and the gym teacher who spotted her talent when she was in primary school and would take her running as he cycled along on the bike.

More news for Kenya is the trials are now running in the Hague for the crimes of the clashes... it is being broadcast live on the radio.

Very busy with a multitude of things right now, but all good and positive.

One thing about Iten is I really miss a good cup of coffee - I am missing Java in Nairobi & its Ethiopian blend.

Lydia had just returned from running a 67-min half in Prague and setting a course record to boot.

Right now up in Iten where a host of International athletes are now still based - great to see old friends and in many ways it always feels like I am coming home. In fact when I landed at Eldoret airport the ground staff greeting the plane came up, "Welcome home Toby," so it must be. Meanwhile Pieter and Lornah continue to expand the camp and its surrounds; they have started building more apartments due to the fact that the camp is selling out now. So if you want to stay here - book early. Great to see it is athletes of ALL abilities who come and live together. I mentioned below the great Derartu Tulu has now made this her training camp after Asafalech's successes (winning Dubai etc). I was mentioning Wilson Kipketer has been here, and it appears that he has been in Kenya now for quite some time. I hear he is staying at Kenmosa (athletes' village almost) in the smaller of his two houses there (the other one is rented out). Funny tie in; Lydia Cheromei is the immediate neighbor & I stayed at Wilson's smaller house one winter about eight years ago....

PS: the weather here is perfect, not too hot, not cold, just perfect... I hope the snow is gone from NYC - what is happening to America??

What a world.

Kenyan running continued - Vivian Cheruiyot runs a comfortable qualifier at the 10,000m distance with a 31:07 in Spain, remember she has a wild card as the defending champion for the 5000. Are we to see a Dibaba-like Double? Vincent Rono, an unknown Kenyan, made a debut for the men's win with 27:52... meanwhile over in Berlin the junior world XC mens champion Geoffrey Kipsang won in 60:33 citing the "pace was slow" and Valentine Kipketer, 70:30 won the women's race - she is a mere 18-yrs old.

And over in Prague more Kenyans ran well - Lydia Cheromei clocked a course record 67:33 and Philemon Limo won by over a minute in 59:30.

The news over in Kenya is all about the trials in the Hague of the six accused men due to the issues from the post election violence. Kenya failed to act so the International criminal courts stepped in - the trials start next week.

I ate like a pig on the plane, and in the airport lounge inbetween - I feel I have gone up 10-lbs. Went for a jog this morning along Ngong road. I am here for a few days only...

You know when you are "asked" not to tell your side of the story, then someone goes and tells another side? So I guess I should not be writing this, but it annoys me that someone who yelled, screamed and swore at me like I have never heard before in my life then goes and rattles back...

Full story to come out.. that is for sure.

For a while I did want to do the Keith Richards' Diet book... y'know how people love the diet books!

On that note please go and sign up for the Achilles Hope & Possibility in June, on the 26th, on a Sunday and support a wonderful Org! Thanks

Brother Colm with the cake to congratulate David Rudisha for his world record, 800m -- Kenya's first ever 800m world record holder & his coach. Colm developed Rudisha from a decathlete into the best ever 800m runner.

The winter continues in NYC, again it was below freezing today. Obama was in NYC which meant traffic blocks and police men, some of whom seemed unable to speak and understand English. I saw an incident of a man at a closed off road simply ask the policeman for the quickest alternative route. "You gotta go back, down." to which, "to which avenue or cross street?" to which, "Dunna you understand English, you gotta go down." OMG... to which, to woo (written with poor grammar so my little critic can sigh as he reads this...)

Nice to see Jon Cardenas running for Shoe4Africa over in San Francisco... and speaking of which we are back on the New York Road Runners drop down list of clubs.. so when you enter a race - boom! We fell off for a while, but are back on as of this week.

So no big surprises that Sammy Wanjiru pulled out of London, and if Martin Lel manages to get to the start line healthy then that will be awesome! I still believe he can capture the world record.

I was impressed too seeing the Boston field - they have done a great job in putting together a superb field. I might even get up to Boston as that is a great weekend... Strong Kenyan team--Alice Timbilil (2:25), Florence Kiplagat (world half marathon champion & marathon debut), Caroline Kilel (2:23), Salina Kosgei (2:23 former winner), & Sharon Cherop (2:22)... Russia�s Galina Bogomolova has the fastest time with 2:20:46

Tara Smith -- celebrity hairdresser running as our new ambassador in the streets of NYC.

For a fraction of a fraction of their net assets they could do what Nick Kristoff advises... Access to healthcare is the key to improving the mortality rate.

If you don't build a school you can't teach the children... If you don't build a university you can't teach higher education... if you don't build the first public children's hospital where do the kids go?

Child mortality rates in East Africa has risen 24.7% since 1990, instead of being reduced by 2/3rds as was the hope of the Millennium Development Goals.

So Save the Children, what exactly is your game plan for the children of Sub Saharan Africa?

It does really enforce my belief though that you have to have a real hands on approach, and a great financial team watching the spending, every dollar as it happens.

It is always a time of self reflect when you read something like this, when I read about staff buying one or two cars, expenses I am so proud that our biggest expense at Shoe4Africa is paypal fees (fees 2-3% of the payment to accept a credit card donation), not the cost of a flashy office (don't have one), company car (I use a bicycle)... etc...

Janeth Jepkosgei & Mo Farah at the last Shoe4Africa event.

In Kenya the other year with Shaheen & Gerard Hartmann -- the brilliant physio.. Paula, Bono, 55-Olympians & counting... a great guy.

Out to lunch today at Orso with Tony, Tania, and Mo Farah! Great time but little risotto! OMgoodness - child portions? Thank goodness Cotton Lloyd gave me a loaf of bread! See Mo at the Pre meet, or in London in May~ I had to give Tania a medal for winning the long jump where she, fully clothed, outjumped Mo and I as we leapt into the swimming pool, also fully clothed! Mo was last, "Hey I win the real competitions that pay in cash!"

In October 2010 I asked Hugh Jackman, aka Wolverine, if he would run the NYC Half with me for Shoe4Africa. He agreed, thanks so much Hugh for just doing it. He did superb, despite squatting 320-lb leg weights two days before the race, doing virtually zero running - he ran superbly. And so so many shouts out on the way - he made so many people's day.

Hugh Jackman joins Shoe4Africa!! He will run the NYC Half for us tomorrow, With Anthony Edwards (Goose), with Tom Cavanaugh (Ed), with James Legros (Mercy).. and a great bunch of people!!

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It is a big weekend of running; the World's, Vivian Vs Linet. It is an Iten village showdown! It is also the super fast Lisbon half with former world XC champ Tadesse, now the world half record holder... And a Big shout out to Angus Wall, Oscar winner 2011, running for Shoe4Africa in the Los Angeles Marathon! "I am running the LA marathon and, after looking for a great cause, landed on shoe 4 africa. please donate what you can!"

We will have a few surprises for this one, c'mon over!

The store is meters away from the finishing line.

T shirts are available as of now at URBAN ATHLETICS ONLY (not through me).

Call 212-828-1906 as they are at Madison Ave until Saturday when they go down town for the event @ Urban downtown.

Men's & Women's available, dri-fit Nike running T's

Another picture of Janeth Jepkosgei's school in the making.

Here's a nice project: The Start of the Janeth Jepkosgei School!

Here's my friend the late Chris Kelong. We were racing in Kenya, he had just come back from winning the British 10k and had finished sixth at the world cross country championships. An up and coming as they called him in Kenya. Sadly he died shortly after in a road accident driving to his farm in Nakuru. He was in the car with Dominic Kirui, another huge talent, who lived. Sad story.

Kind've sad because that all happened in 2000, and as recent as December 2008 I bumped into his relatives in Kenya... who don't have much love for the woman, that is for sure.

SELF PORTRAIT- Mo Farah, who won the Euro's indoor championships this weekend. Congrats. This picture from the village of Iten, Kenya, a month, or two now, ago.

For the last year I have been trying to get a meeting with UNICEF Kenya, not to ask for money mind you as I know they won't give me a nth of their millions, but to sit and talk about the project I am doing. Nada; every time I try and pin down a date the emails never are returned. Now if I copy UNICEF UK I get a response at least (but never a meeting).

I wonder how many people who donate to charities know what the inside circus is all about -- UNICEF's mission is clearly trying to reduce child mortality and if the figures have got 25% worse should they not be trying something new?

===OR===

Mo Farah and celebrity hair stylist Tara Smith [check her amazing client list] to front my new charity!

May I add this interview was conducted in minus 10-celsius, in the shade and we were standing their for twenty minutes. My jaw was frozen solid.

Janeth Jepkosgei, holding the torch for Kenya. I remember the day after Janeth & Pamela got Silver & Gold in the Olympics, then every single woman in Kapsabet was out running the next morning trying their luck! The town only has about 64,000... it was amazing to see... Hey, if the two women did their town proud, then the guys also did; Kapsabet residents also grabbed the men's gold and the men's bronze with Bungei & Yego... and also we should mention that Claudio Berardelli, in my opinion an amazing coach, had 50% of those medals!

Anyway Janeth gets a mention for being 'Angel of the year' as we found out not only is she paying for three public school teachers, but she also gave a lot of money to the local church to be built as well!

The federation have the athletes best interests at heart, it is an honor to represent your country and an honor that should not be taken lightly. The same issue arose last year with Linet at the Half Marathon -- does any coach think this is wise for preps? Anyway... in the absence - Sentayehu Ejigu ETH 31:50 won the ladies, and Sammy Kitwara, who lives between Iten and Eldoret got in shape to take the men's title in 27:35... half a minute ahead of last season's top runner Leonard Komon, #4.

Meanwhile in Tokyo and Geb's absence another Ethiopia runner managed to cover for him in 2:07, with Paul Biwott (living five km from Sammy) making a fine comeback after a dry spell to nab third in 2:08 -- yet if Tokyo, with its world record applying entrants, really wants to enter the big-marathons scene one would hope they will expand the fields a bit...

Finally March brings weather one does not need to wear three pairs of gloves for... I am now down to two...

Susan Chepkemei, one of Kenya's top marathoners who started off with great success at cross country... her best races were often in NYC. Runners who run well at XC run well at the NYC marathon... just a hint

Front of the pack at the Kenya Nationals

Normally I could have called by Assistant Coach, Joe, and asked him, take over, start the work out as I'll be late. BUT Joe has been sick of late. Secondly I could have walked there, but I was making perfect timing so as not to stand in the cold too long, so if I walked... So, I had to run. The next hassle was trying not to sweat in all these clothes, you see when I stop to coach, if you have been sweating, then stand in the cold for an hour - you die, simple, no way out.

Ha, and I thought running in basketball boots was going to be the hard part!

Funny actually someone asked me 'what do you think of the King's speech?'-- when asked, I think it is supermarket wallpaper. Nice story to watch but does not ignite you, does not draw emotion, or make you question anything... so what really was the point to watching? Whereas a rerun of Casablanca -- seen it before but after watching it to start to think of values, of love, of friendship, of travel, of connections... Yeah King's speech, give it an Oscar for... Good acting? Now there is food for thought.

I think Kenya crushes when it comes to the World Cross, that's my prediction.

International Rescue Committee George E. Rupp President, CEO $381,878 Helene D. Gayle President, CEO $386,305 CARE USA Red Cross Gail J. McGovern President, CEO $446,867 James Hrouda EVP, Biomedical Services $566,629 Mary Elcano General Counsel, Secretary $480,880 UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF Caryl M. Stern President, CEO $419,832 Feed the Children Larry Jones President $258,562 OXFAM USA Raymond Offenheiser President $311,094 WORLD VISION Richard E. Stearns President $380,609

Kenyan World XC Squad: Junior Women 6km: Janet Kisa, Janet Jepkorir, Faith Chepngetich, Nancy Chepkwemoi, Naomi Chepngeno and Purity Cherotich Junior Men 8km: Isaiah Kiplagat, Justin Cheruiyot, Philemon Yator, Geoffrey Kipsang, James Gitahi and Patrick Mutunga Senior Women 8km: Linet Masai, Vivian Cheruiyot, Priscah Cherono, Sylvia Kibet, Pauline Korikwiang and Lineth Chepkurui Senior Men 12km: Geoffrey Mutai, Mathew Kisorio, Vincent Kiprop, Philemon Limo, Hosea Macharinyang and Leonard Patrick Komon