Marathon is a sport that requires speed, tactics and discipline.
A runner has to be well prepared to achieve his best. We
are honored to have Henry Wanyokie, the Marathon world record
holder to teach us how to be a good runner.
For those who know sports, the name Henry Wanyoike is a
familiar one. Born in Kenya, the 32-year-old Wanyoike was
groomed to join an elite team of runners. But, at the age
of 21, he had a stroke that left him blind. Disability did
not take away Wanyoike's spirit. With the help of
Joseph Kibunja, his good friend and guide runner, Wanyoike
quickly established himself as a world-class non-sighted
runner. He earned gold at the Half Marathon at the 2004
Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon and at the 2004 Paralympics.
Determination is the most essential requirement
for a good runner. Wanyoike said, "I wanted to become
one of the winning athletes like others in Kenya. I wanted
to become a hero in my country. My goal of wanting to be
a gold medalist brings me through all difficulties."
Many runners in Hong Kong have high hopes for themselves.
They want to finish the Marathon with the best result. However,
Wanyoike reminds us that it is important to be happy with
what you do, "if everything goes well, it's OK. Do not make
winning the be all and end all of your lives."
Wanyoike emphases the importance of consistent training.
A runner should have a sufficient mileage program, muscle
training program, as well as a balanced diet to maintain
a healthy body. Wanyoike is well aware that space is rare
in Hong Kong, therefore, he suggests runners make use of
what we have. "You can run up and down the stairs
or go to the gym. It's a very good way to build up
muscle." He warns the runners not to be hasty out
to train according to their own body conditions, "I
may train two to three years to prepare for a single event
sometimes." He said.
Many amateur runners in Hong Kong have neglected
this inadvertently because of their busy working life style.
Wanyoike is also a busy man. He dedicates his time promoting
sports and helping the disabled in Kenya. "Self-discipline
is very important. I wake up at 5:30am every morning and
train until 7am. I'll spend the rest of my day doing
community and charity work."
When it finally comes to the big day of the Marathon, runners
have to monitor their own body condition closely. "It's
best to do a body check-up beforehand." Wanyoike said. "It
is important to keep to your own pace. Don't be affected
by others. If you are tired, you'd better walk for a while."
He reminds runners to take enough starch and carbohydrate
and to drink lots of water during the run.
This is the fourth time Wanyoike has joined the Standard
Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. He enjoys running in Hong
Kong very much. He and his partner Kibunja jogged in Kowloon
Park everyday after they arrived in Hong Kong. "The
routes for other major Marathon events are always flat,
but the one in Hong Kong is more challenging. It's
very windy on the Tsing Ma Bridge and very steep down the
Western Harbour Tunnel." Wanyoike also finds that
the hot and humid climate in Hong Kong is very challenging.
He won the third runner up at the Half Marathon in senior
category this year.
As an experienced Marathon runner, Wanyoike has a lot of
unforgettable memories, especially during his runs in Hong
Kong. "Many runners would cheer for me and Kibunja when
we ran past them. They would shout "Go go go!"
loudly to encourage us. That's a very touching Hong Kong
moment for me."
