Tears of sorrow and sympathy rolled freely as John Kipsang Lotiang welcomed vulnerable athletes to occupy their new home on Sunday 6th June 2020 morning.
Hillary Kipkoech, Benjamin Kiplangat, Martin Bowen and Jesicah Jepngetich were the first athletes to occupy free houses he donated to vulnerable athletes in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County during this coronavirus pandemic.
With all of his three races postponed this year due to the pandemic, there are no races both locally and internationally, as majority of upcoming athletes, who depended on running to earn a living are now suffering a lot hence Lotiang saw the need to provide housing to them.
The former Cardiff Half Marathon champion donated his rental houses to the suffering athletes sine he lacked money to sent them for survival.
The tearful Lotiang had build seven single self-contained rental houses in Mororia area, three kilometres from Iten town from his proceeds but he was touched by needy athletes hence decided to help.
The West Pokot born runner said 2019 he was blessed, winning races across the world hence decided to bless those who have not had a chance like his, winning some money to sustain their lives.
“Many upcoming and vulnerable athletes used to call me for help like paying rent, buying food and sustaining their respective families. Because I don’t have money to give out after all my races this year were cancelled, I decided to give them a home,” said Lotiang, the 4th placed at 2018 Commonwealth Half marathon championships.
This year, the Cardiff half marathon course record holder was set to launch his marathon debut at Wuhan marathon where coronavirus was first reported. Then he was advised that he will run at the Istanbul half marathon on April 4th and Ottawa Marathon that were all cancelled.
“After I finished building the houses a week ago, they were vacant and because there were no tenants to occupy, I decided to offer the athletes for free. This was the best way to help the needy ones. Lack of money is a big challenge for many athletes in this country,” he said.
In the first incidence, when corona was reported in the country, he took his family back at his West Pokot home and decided to live alone, training with some athletes.
“When I saw the need for the runners, I called them to share the little I had. After breaking the Cardiff half marathon course in 60:40 in 2017, I was selected by Athletics Kenya to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games Half marathon that were run on the same course in 2018 where I finished a distance 4th due to the injury I had picked that morning,” said Lotiang.
In 2019, he finished in 4th position at the same race and won bronze at the Xiangzou half marathon.
“Last year, I was blessed, running well in many races across the world so I had to bless others too. God is the provider. He gives out and what I know is that I be blessed better in my life ahead,” he added.