Kenyan runner who helped colleague cross finish line awarded

Cheprot - the 2016 champion - abandoned his race to help his compatriot Kiprono Kipkemoi who had fallen on the ground a few metres to the finish line and delivered him to the medics to end up finishing the race in position 15./photo/courtesy

The seventh edition of the Okpekpe Road Race held Saturday in Nigeria will go down in history not for the records, not for the winners but for only one man, Simon Cheprot who surprised the many athletics faithful by doing the unthinkable.

Cheprot – the 2016 champion – abandoned his race to help his compatriot Kiprono Kipkemoi who had fallen on the ground a few metres to the finish line and delivered him to the medics to end up finishing the race in position 15.

Although, he may have missed out on the awards bracket, Cheprot action earned him plaudits and rewards aplenty form the organisers as well as the other individuals touched with the actions of the athlete.

The athlete who was placed second in last year’s race was rewarded for his unselfish act with a total $10,000 (about Sh1m), the organizers rewarding him with $2,000, $5,000 from Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu while the national chairman of the All Peoples Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole awarded the athlete with $3000.

Kipkemoi was also awarded $1,000 by the organizers of the race.

Cheprot who won the title in 2016 said love inspired him hence his decision to help his colleague.

"Running does not mean we are at war, we are friends. When you see your friend falling you come and help, running means healthy, unity and love,” said Cheprot.