Jane Wangari, who won the Under 15 race during the ISF World Schools Cross Country Championship has been feted by her community in Kiambogo village, Naivasha.
The shy teenager opined that the heroic welcome she received caught her by surprise. “I never expected this.I am excited beyond words,” said the budding runner.
The Nakuru County based Wangari outsprinted her contemporaries in the last lap of the 2400m race as Kenya scooped the first of the eight places.
“I knew I had the potential to excel, but coming tops has given me the much needed impetus,” added the athlete.
During the ceremony, the Form One student at Kiambogo Secondary school who was flanked by family members received a cow from the management of the Run 2gether camp.
The runner idolises World Cross Country Champion and the current 10,000 M World record holder, Beatrice Chebet and receiving a gold medal from the Head of State was the highlight of her fledgling running career.
Her mother, Alice Wanjiru hailed her daughter’s process, terming her as “disciplined and focused.”
“She is either at the camp practicing or doing studies. At times, she is helping with household chores,” said the mother.
The camp’s head coach Ibrahim Kinuthia said they started mentoring the young runner at the age of eight after sporting her talent at a local Primary school.
“At a tender age, her talent was easily identifiable. She has what it takes to excel to the highest level. The young runner has just started,” he said.
Peter Ndegwa, a trainer at the camp said “She has been participating in competitions, emerging tops.
“She is destined to scale heights given her ability, my call for her is to remain rooted to the ground,” said the coach.
She said many young girls face a myriad of challenges but urged them to keep the focus so as to attain their goals.
