David Kimani Dies!!!!!!! No joke.

This is very bad for a person to die at a young age. I didn't see him ever, I just know his name from how he performed on the track. Great All American Track Star and sounds like great person from what I hear. I'll run an extra lap for you Kimani!

Oh wait, I didn't mean for that link to be on there, I had it for a joke on another thread earlier, but i showed up somehow, pretend it's not there.

I have competed in a lot of organized sports. I never really felt much attachment or connection for the other athletes in those other sports.

Running is different. When someone is a runner we feel as if we know a lot about a part of them. We share something special. We do something that many cannot nor do they understand. We feel very fast, very strong and sometimes bulletproof. But, as we all learn we are not immortal. When one of us dies it is shocking, it hurts.

Godspeed Mr. Kimani.

This is absolutely terrible news. He was an amazing athlete, and always gave me the impression of near invincibility, which makes this even more difficult to believe. I wish to send my condolences to his wife, family, and teammates.

To An Athlete Dying Young

A.E. Housman

The time you won your town the race

We chaired you through the market-place;

Man and boy stood cheering by,

And home we brought you shoulder-high.

Today, the road all runners come,

Shoulder-high we bring you home,

And set you at your threshold down,

Townsman of a stiller town.

Smart lad, to slip betimes away

From fields where glory does not stay,

And early though the laurel grows

It withers quicker than the rose.

Eyes the shady night has shut

Cannot see the record cut,

And silence sounds no worse than cheers

After earth has stopped the ears:

Now you will not swell the rout

Of lads that wore their honours out,

Runners whom renown outran

And the name died before the man.

So set, before its echoes fade,

The fleet foot on the sill of shade,

And hold to the low lintel up

The still-defended challenge-cup.

And round that early-laurelled head

Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,

And find unwithered on its curls

The garland briefer than a girl's.

To An Athlete Dying Young

A.E. Housman

The time you won your town the race

We chaired you through the market-place;

Man and boy stood cheering by,

And home we brought you shoulder-high.

To-day, the road all runners come,

Shoulder-high we bring you home,

And set you at your threshold down,

Townsman of a stiller town.

Smart lad, to slip betimes away

From fields where glory does not stay,

And early though the laurel grows

It withers quicker than the rose.

Eyes the shady night has shut

Cannot see the record cut,

And silence sounds no worse than cheers

After earth has stopped the ears:

Now you will not swell the rout

Of lads that wore their honours out,

Runners whom renown outran

And the name died before the man.

So set, before its echoes fade,

The fleet foot on the sill of shade,

And hold to the low lintel up

The still-defended challenge-cup.

And round that early-laurelled head

Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,

And find unwithered on its curls

The garland briefer than a girl's.

I think we should all share a collective moment of silence (or perhaps five of them, he was a 5km guy after all) for David. This is truly a sad day. My prayers will have a certain running theme for the next few days. God bless Kimani.

Why?

I'm one of the manager's on the men's team and Kimani's death was a shock. I came to practice about 5 minutes late and noticed a lot of the guys were somber and the coach was off on another part of the track talking on a cell phone. So the other manager and I were just talking like normal when one of the guys said, "You seem awfully happy, I guess you haven't heard" and I said, "What? Why?" and he replied, "Kimani had a seizure, he's in the hospital and it's serious". The second he finished that sentence the coach came up to us and said "It looks like David has passed away". It was unbelievable. I was in shock for 10 minutes before it sunk in and the tears began. We've all cried so much today.

I keep remembering the last time I saw him, it was Monday night. The other manager and I were running at 11pm around campus. We came to the library and there was Kimani, sitting outside helping someone with some school work. He saw us running and gave us some words of encouragement. That's the David I knew. I'm going to miss him deeply. Pray for all of us and most especially for his wife, Chamise.

Rest in Peace, Brother

Trials of Miles, Miles of Trials.

Kramer

He truly loved his sport. As a youngster when he won the NCAA's as a freshmen I saw him for nearly an hour stand and excitedly talk about our great sport of XC with young HS runners in Bloomington. He obviously loved the sport and loved talking about it. The young boys and girls surrounded him and were treated to something unique, a world class athlete giving them undivided attention!!!!!

He was a treasure that will be missed; my condolences to his family.

it's really hard to believe that something like this can happen. what has been more surprising for me is how bad it hurts me, i can't really explain it, and i never even met the guy. from what i've heard first hand from teammates he was just a great guy. it didn't matter that they were fierce competitors, they considered each other friends. today a great athlete and great human was lost and it is a shame. the unbelieveable sadness that i'm feeling is just a reflection of how great our sport is and how, as runners, we develop some sort of connection between each other.

I remember my sophomore year in high school, watching Kimani race Steve Fein and Power in the NCAA XC championships. He just burried them. I was thinking, shoot, this guy is a freshmen, why should I expect the older guys to beat me. I decided to train harder that winter and I won my conference 3200. Nothing spectacular, but for me it was a big step. From the memories shared I believe David would have been excited for me with that win as I was excited for him when he won. These are the people who affect the youth in this sport. I now run for Washington and follow NCAA close. Today was heartbreaking. Also, who knows what kind of an impact he could have made outside running. One human life means so much to the world. May God bless you and the people you have touched.

What an outstanding college runner, very sad that anybody dies that young

My heart and prayers go out to David and everyone around his life. This day I realized how good my life is even though I struggle so much.

-Kez

I hope God will put him on right place. He deserves that.

I did not know him but I have feeling that he was a great guy. Let's never forget this guy! Let's keep him in our hearts.Let's pray for him before we go to run. He was a great runner and great man. Thank you God that we know for him and please, please God-- bless him.

From the Earth we arise, to the Earth we shall return.

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust.

The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

This reminds me of when Travis Landreth of UConn died very unexpectedly and suddenly. I'm wondering if Kimani's death is the result of a similar condition.

May they both rest in peace.

My prayers go out to the Kimani family.

May God give/provide comfort and support to the Kimani family. Also may God comfort David's friends from Nairobi Kenya, South Alabama U, and Alabama U.

Rest in peace my fellow runner & Brother!