Kenyan marathoner abandons race to rescue collapsed rival, awarded KSh 1 million

Kenyan athlete Simon Cheprot may have lost Okpekpe International 10km Road Race that went down in Edo State of Nigeria on Saturday, May 25, but he left as a hero.

The lanky marathoner was on his final minutes of the last lap and was about to reach the finish line when he spotted an opponent, a Kenyan colleague, Kenneth Kipkemoi, collapse.

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Out of instinct and a kind heart, Simon stopped midway and inched closer to Kipkemoi before picking him up as he held him tightly and lifted him.

Though he did not proceed from that point, the organisers of the competition hailed him as a selfless and true definition of sportsmanship.

Cheprot was men’s title winner in 2016 and was first runner up in the 2018 edition, his ambition being to become first participant to scoop two titles since its inception in 2013.

”Simon may not have fulfilled his ambition of becoming the first athlete to win two Okpekpe titles since 2013 when we began this race but he came to Okpekpe this year, ran and left as the hero. He did not win any medals but he won hearts," noted Mike Itemuagbor, the event promoter.

His rare deed touched partners and local Edo State politicians who collectively gave him KSh 1 million, with Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu contributing KSh 500,000.

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