The atmosphere was simply breathtaking. From North Pole to South Pole, the global stage turned their attention to Kenyan stars.
And no doubt, three Kenyans –Ezekiel Kemboi, Brimin Kipruto and Paul Kipsiele Koech –had killed two birds with one stone: stretched Kenya’s dominance in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase race and, precisely, on the spiritual home of the world’s biggest multi-sport bonanza; Athens in Greece.
The rendition of the national anthem with the athletes donning the Black, Red, Green and White colours while the flag flapping in the sky or draped around their shoulders spiced up that memorable moment in the 2004 Olympic Games.
Kemboi, Kipruto and Kipsiele had sealed a podium sweep for Kenya. Such a historic moment never ran to waste as it inspired one young butcher man in Orane Village in Burnt Forest, Uasin Gishu County, to take up athletics.
And the journey of former world 10km record holder Micah Kogo to stardom started it off.
Watching Kemboi orchestrate a 1-2-3 sweep for Kenya stirred Kogo’s latent talent to butcher road runners, quite literally.
His intense training regimen and the bulging talent conspired well and then came the next Olympiad –the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 –where Kogo picked the 10,000m bragging rights without much fuss. And the result? He bagged a bronze medal.
Kogo’s tale is no different; Greatest Marathoner of all Time Eliud Kipchoge was a milk seller, former world Marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang transported potatoes while former double Africa champion Alex Kipchirchir operated a hotel in Eldoret.
Kogo, who harboured huge athletics in his childhood, seems to follow in the counsel of American author Les Brown, who once said: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars.” And ended up with an Olympic bronze medal.
Butchers world record
Kogo is a seasoned athlete who has featured in national teams for many years, with his greatest moment coming in 2009 when he set a world record at the Parelloop 10km at 27:01, slapping a then new mark on Haile Gebreslessie’s record.
“I have competed for the last 20 years. I was inspired by Ezekiel Kemboi in 2004. After ditching the butchery business, I remained focused, training well and within four years, I managed to win an Olympic medal,” said Kogo.
“During the tough Olympics race, I won bronze. I was excited. In 2009, I set the world record and emerged among top names in 10km which landed me invitations to so many races across the world, winning in the 5km, 10km, 15km and half marathons,” said Kogo.
Top tummy secret
Kogo subscribes to a traditional diet –a variety of traditional vegetables. In the runner up to conquering the world record, a simple training, focus and traditional diet were his source of strength.
“I eat traditional vegetables and fruits. Such a diet spurred me into the world record. I still feel that the record is my greatest achievement,” he said.
But the Olympic medal remains precious too as it drew the sponsorship of American sportswear sportswear apparel Nike. So lucrative was it that he ditched Reebok.
“This was the turning point for me. No one, even my close friends, could believe that a butcher man in the far flung village could shine in athletics,” said Kogo.
Marathon debut
Before making his debut in marathon in 2013 at the Boston Marathon, Kogo said he trained with Malaysia-based coach Sammy “Romeo” Rono under UK Teddington-based Pace Sports Management run by Ricky Simms.
He came second in 2:10.27 behind Ethiopians Lesisa Desisa (2:10.22) and Gebre Gebremariam (2:10.28).
“My runner up spot in Boston emerged as the fastest marathon debut mark. And, more importantly, coming after the terrorist bombing that time.
“Apart from that, I also competed in Chicago, New York, Paris, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Singapore, Istanbul among other marathons between 2013 to 2019. I competed in 12 marathons,” he said.
Kogo signed off his international competitions as he was among the 42 pacesetters at the historic Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria, in 2019 where Eliud Kipchoge became the first man to run 42km in under two hours. He was placed in front in the V-shaped pacing format.
“Since 2020 I have not competed internationally after our management was hit by the financial crisis due to the COVID19. Our management set us free to look for other management but I find it difficult to find another manager after staying with Pace for over 20 years even after the management gave us a go ahead to look for other management,” said Kogo.
Butchery business
Before taking up athletics, Kogo was a butcher. “I saw the flag raised and the national anthem was played. It inspired me. And the rest, as they say, is history,” he said with a pensive smile.
Kogo discontinued schooling after completing Standard Eight. “Before starting to work as a butcher man, I had sat for KCPE and I did not proceed due to lack of school fees. But I used to run very well in the 10,000m at the primary school level. Despite disappointments in academics, I hoped that one day I could compete at the international level,” he said.
Whether by design or default, coach Rono spotted Kogo’s athletics talent and offered to guide him. He enrolled him into their camp in Kaptagat.
“I remained focused on 10km and 10,000m, which is why I managed to post good results. And going ahead to win a bronze medal at the Olympics was great. It was a great achievement for me to win a medal at the Olympics after transitioning from a butcher man. My coach Romeo taught me to be focused, remain disciplined to do my best,” he said.
Even after setting the world record, Kogo says he remained calm, simple and avoided the usual show off associated with high-achieving athletes.
“I went back to training and we were so happy that in our Pace Management camp, we had set a world record. I was not under any pressure from teammates and other friends. Even my friends, who were Christians did not pressure me a lot but to lead a normal life,” he said.
With money streaming his way, Kogo said, living a religious life was his priority and opted to invest in tree planting which he now harvests.
“Apart from trees, I also invested in farming. I also own sheep that I do sell,” he said.
Cardinal diet
As a staunch member of Seventh Day Adventist (SDA), they preach a healthy living. He says they are taught on healthy living and as an athlete, he understood why he had to take a recommended diet that boosted his career.
“I used to eat fruits, vegetables, nuts and fruits even though I went to the gym for tough exercise, speed work and endurance, food was so good for me. I ate that for four months before heading to the races,” he said.
As an SDA brethren at the Family Life Church at the Pioneer Estate in Eldoret, Kogo says he fellowship with retired athletes like Alfred Yego, Sammy Korir, and Jonathan Korir among others.
“I was lucky this year when I was handed a position of Adventists Men Ministry (AMM). That shows that I am a champion in sports and spiritual life. I inspire many when I stand to provide guidance and focus on God’s work,” he said.
How I learnt English
Despite dropping out in class eight, Kogo has great communication skills, eloquent in English and Swahili.
“In academics, after dropping out of school, I was so good in Kiswahili but I can communicate well in English because of exposure in the last 20 years. I remember during my first trip; I could not construct an English sentence. I had to think before talking, translating directly from my mother tongue. And throughout these years of travelling since 2004, I made many trips traveling across the world so I had to learn. Though I am still learning, I have gained a lot in speaking English. My friends took time to teach me English and learning from various nations since I have been in many places across the world,” he said
Still active athlete
He assured all his fans, the entire country and globe at large that he is still an active runner only that he has not been seen at the national and global stage.
“Since 2019 I have not competed in any international races but we are training alongside Mark Kiptoo, Benson Kiplimo and others. I am not retired and because I have not raced for long is due to lack of management. I am ready to hit the road once I get a race. But I will start with Kenyan marathons like Nairobi City, Standard Chartered, Eldoret City marathons before looking for international races because looking for a race is not a problem. My name is still big after running clean for over 20 years,” he added.