The tragedy of Kenya Distance Runners: You've missed this grreat story. Read it.

The NYT is no different than most US news media by strongly supporting the state of Israel and its policy of genocide. Most of the LRC community that comments on this issue is the same way. Paying the NYT and similar organizations is paying money to support major terrorism.

What I don't get is why some of these agents don't get involved and help these runners.

Instead of trying to get rich by becoming a property magnet in Kenya, why don't they just have them put their winnings into an index fund?

I think that Kiptum was, and is, "protected" at this point. The Majors, World Athletics and the Media were desperate for a new Kipchoge, now that he has finally started to fade on the athletics stage (if not the marketing stage), and Kiptum was the chosen one. His death makes him a perfect martyr to use for marketing purposes (yeah, I know how cynical that sounds but its true) til the next true "star" shows up.

If he was drunk or using PEDs or any combination of both, they really, really don't want us to know.

this is really a beautiful article. It might skim over some things, but when coupled with the photos, it gives a real sense of the everyday of living and training there.

it made of the week, which routinely does collect the best longform writing out there.

longreads.com

The Top 5 Longreads of the Week - Longreads

Longreads

Showcasing stories from Katya Apekina, Jonathan W. Rosen, Robert Sanchez, Eric Levitz, and Natalie Marlin.

Link:longreads.com/2025/06/06/the-top-5-lon...

You just sound so soft over there.

Because some of the agents are the problem?

Just Kenyans, how about the Australians, English, Irish.

there needs to be the same culture change as what took place in pro sports like baseball and football where you had so many athletes squander their earnings on all kinds of schemes or lavish spending, because they didn't have the experience with handling that kind of money, nor competent advisors to help them. Because ideally you don't want your agent handilng your money, you need a separate person to manage finances so there are no conflicts of interest. If memory serves, the NFL even has a finance course they require new draftees to take so they can be made aware of what to do and not do with their earnings.

I think it would be great if the bodies government track would do likewise.

I don't know any property magnets, but I am acquainted with a few property MAGNATES in the city where I live.

Ivy League education ? Seriously ?

I don't follow American sports much, is it less common now for NBA/NFL players to squander all their money? Is it mostly financial literacy training and mentorship from older players, or do the leagues also provide financial advisors who do not "get a cut" like the agent does?

The OP article is a sad story, one woven in with some of the challenges Kenya as a country faces. Don't forget, Kenya has made a lot of progress in the last 25 years: the percentage of the population connected to the electrical grid has gone from 5% to 71%, and its per capita GDP has quadrupled in the same timeframe. Deaths before age 5 have been cut in half; new HIV infections are down an incredible 80%.

However, Kenya still has deeply entrenched corruption which seems like it would rub off on a generally "scammy" business culture. Reading between the lines, it also sounds like their court system is not very effective at dealing with these predatory agents and conmen. Kenya also has some of the most dangerous roads in the world.

I suppose there are two levels of "solution" here: first, process-level things like connecting athletes with financial advisors with no conflict of interest, getting young athletes mentorship, telling people to wear a seatbelt. Second, the long, grinding march towards development and progress.

Question for the panel: should road races disperse prize money in a "half up front, half over 5-10 years" trust? This strategy would have an additional benefit, which is that it would provide a bigger incentive not to dope: you could claw back more money if an athlete subsequently tests positive.

Oh, and FYI for American coaches to: motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for high school and college age Americans too. Remind your kids to drive slow, run fast, and wear a seatbelt.

double down on this. down votes galore.

out of touch now, but had a dozen or so kenyan mates in university, and running mates and it was quite a fun. natural and a good vibe amongst a paranoid mindset in development.

moving forward, there has been nothing, absolutely nothing in the way of heart warming news, stories of morality and comradeship at any level.

i'm absolutely disgusted. too bad, i had dreamed of going to a running camp and running some dusty miles in nature with the boys.

No.

Is it grrreat like Frosted Flakes?

Stop trying to make this into a racism issue. A big reason people don't like Kenyan runners in the NCAA is because many of them are obviously doping and a lot have actually failed drug tests within the past 24 months.

Runners from Australia, England, and Ireland haven't failed drug tests in the NCAA at even 10% of the rate of Kenyans.

That said, we should limit ALL international athletes. America's population is at an all time high and there is a record LOW in NCAA opportunities for them.

I was in a NCAA race with a 4 time world record holder from Kenya

It was an honor

In fact there was another former world record holder in the same race.

Reposting for page 2, this link is 100% legit. Thank you based archiver.

what about em? we have our own people in America to worry about. y'all are the least of our concerns. Also stop coming over her and taking American kids scholarships.

great idea

that african group has degenerated, to grab the cash, for me me me

if i was in that environment, i'd maybe be the same type ahole delux,

probably not

you are talking sin, and zero enlightenment, in any religion of your choice

the on the ground stories, from charity work, scamming without shame, or even the perception that there is another way,

i might have to visit, a couple of these mad max places

maybe get killed calling people out.