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Friday, August 5, 2005
Many can win, but Nyariki already has
Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||||||
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CAPE ELIZABETH — Gilbert Okari has returned to Maine during his birthday week, hoping to add a third consecutive Beach to Beacon title. The now-familiar name of Ndereba is represented as well, only this time by Samuel, the brother of five-time winner Catherine Ndereba, who will be absent from the field for the first time in the eight-year history of the 10-kilometer road race. Fellow Kenyans John Korir and James Koskei appear to pose the biggest threat to spoiling Okari's 27th birthday celebration (it was Tuesday). Susan Chepkemei won't return to defend her women's title, so the race seems to be between former Kenyan Lornah Kiplagat of the Netherlands, Alevetina Ivanova of Russia, and Kenyans Sally Barsosio, Margaret Okayo, Rose Jepchumba and the tall, elegant Grace Momanyi, who "looks more like a model than a runner," according to Larry Barthlow, the man who fills the elite field each year. Momanyi broke a 16-year-old record at a 10K race in Ontario in May, in a time (31 minutes, 24 seconds) faster than that of Ndereba's Beach to Beacon benchmark (31:34). "I think the women's record can go," Barthlow said. "Not to put any pressure on anyone, but it's very doable." A $2,500 bonus goes to the man or woman who sets a course record. That's in addition to the $10,000 first prize. Also among the elite field of 30 will be two runners with Maine connections. Matt Lane, who grew up in Yarmouth, and Jeff Gaudette, who grew up in Biddeford, have gone on to national prominence. If you're looking for a foreign runner to cheer, however, save your loudest whoops for Tom Nyariki, a 33-year-old Kenyan who returns to the international racing scene this weekend for the first time since a frightening carjacking episode in 2003. Nyariki escaped with his life, but lost sight in his right eye. He'll be the guy wearing glasses Saturday morning. "I wouldn't say I'm very good, but I will try my best," Nyariki said Thursday. "We shall see whether my comeback is fruitful." Nyariki started his career as a sprinter, then moved to distance races and eventually ran in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he placed fifth at 5,000 meters. He later placed third in the World Championships and enjoyed a successful road racing career that included three major victories and, in 2002, a sixth-place finish at his first Beach to Beacon. His life changed a few weeks before he was to return to Maine in 2003. The specifics of the incident are difficult to nail down, given the language differences and who's telling the story, but the gist of it seems to be as follows. Nyariki was driving his car on a busy street in Nairobi during a July afternoon when a chase came toward him. Police and/or an angry mob were pursuing five men suspected, or caught in the act of, certain misdeeds. Guns were involved. The men forced their way into Nyariki's Nissan, three in the back and two in the front. Nyariki managed to drive his car into a ditch. The pursuers arrived. A rock or pipe smashed the windshield, which was when Nyariki was injured. At first, Nyariki was thought to be an accomplice, but a witness intervened before further injury ensued. At least one of the car-jackers was killed. "It's a pretty horrific story," said Tom Ratcliffe, an agent who represents several Kenyans, including Nyariki. "But it's a great story because he survived." Nyariki lost sight in his right eye, but his desire to run remained strong. It took months for him to regain his balance and get used to running without being able to see everything and everybody around him. He resumed training in January of 2004. His wife, Jackline Maranga, is also a runner of international acclaim. They have two boys and a girl, ranging in age from two months to nine years old. "He was out for a long time," Ratcliffe said. "But he's happy to be alive. He wants to continue running. I think he has the right attitude." Fellow Kenyan runner Paul Koech, who won't be racing this year's Beach to Beacon because he is training for the Chicago Marathon, said Nyariki still stumbles on occasion. "Initially, he was really affected," Koech said. "Then, at the beginning of this year, he realized he can still come back. Right now he is very confident, very strong. He has high hopes." If Nyariki's race goes well Saturday, he will run again next weekend in Falmouth (Mass.) and make his marathon debut this fall in Chicago with Koech. His first step, however, will come Saturday near Crescent Beach State Park and continue over the rolling streets of Cape Elizabeth toward the Portland Head Light. "I decided to come and start again," Nyariki said, "from where I left off." He'll be the guy wearing glasses and bib number 7. Keep an eye out for him. - Staff Writer Glenn Jordan can be contacted at 791-6425 or at:
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