This one is dedicated to all behind-the-scenes actors who made Kenya proud last weekend

What a glorious weekend it was for Kenyan sport with the hugely successful inaugural Kip Keino Classic at the Nyayo National Stadium and the dramatic London Marathon in the St James Park bubble.

The Local Organising Committee of the Kip Keino Classic - which was the final round of the World Athletics Continental Tour’s “Gold” label meetings – headed by Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei, did an outstanding job.

Thanks to the national government, through Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and Principal Secretary Joe Okudo for pulling out all stops to ensure a successful Kip Keino Classic.
The county governments, led by Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, did not disappoint either.

Although, truth be told, a huge barb must be hurled towards the direction of those in national government who, deliberately or otherwise, delayed disbursement of Kip Keino Classic funds leading to a mad, last-minute rush to get the show on the road.
If everyone performs his or her duty diligently, Kenya would be an amazing nation.

We hope suppliers will be settled in good time and the notorious tenderpreneurs and brokers who rear their ugly head at the scent of mega budget public events are smoked out and wheeled to the DPP for onward transmission to Kamiti. We know you, and we are watching…

Congratulations to all our winners, led by the now two-time London Marathon champion Brigid Kosgei and winners on the Nyayo track for continuing to fly our flag with patriotic fervour.
Today, while celebrating our patriots, I’d like to pay tribute to the behind-the-scenes players who made the weekend’s events a huge success.

The Nation Media Group (NMG), led by our Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gitagama, Editorial Director Mutuma Mathiu and Head of Broadcasting Monica Waceke Ndung’u, delivered a first class television production of the Kip Keino Classic to the satisfaction of World Athletics and other global clients.

Both NTV live broadcasts of the Classic and the London Marathon demonstrated NMG’s world class professionalism and helped raise the bar in Kenyan sports productions.

At the NMG Sports Desk, we are humbled by the positive messages we continue to receive from consumers across the globe, and my sincere thanks to the teams across the board on our print, digital and broadcasting operations that make us the envy of many.

To our legend Eliud Kipchoge, all is not lost.

You are still the greatest marathon runner of all time and your record speaks for itself.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams, LeBron James, Usain Bolt, Tiger Woods, Serena Williams and all sporting legends have at one point lost in competition.

But what’s most important is that their achievements will never be erased.

And the fact that they have risen to conquer again makes them legends.

The first man to run a sub two-hour marathon will always be Eliud Kipchoge. The 2016 Olympic Marathon Champion will always be Eliud Kipchoge…

Thanks, Eliud, for appreciating the great work that the amazing team at NMG continues to do to make us the best in sports journalism and journalism in general.

We appreciate you.

Kipchoge's moving message

I sign off with excerpts of excerpts of Eliud’s humbling message to the NMG family (sent through our Eldoret sports reporter Bernard Rotich):

“Thank you (Rotich) for reaching out. You have been a good supporter for many years, especially during this time of Covid-19 with our training and what we are doing… I thank you for that.

“My training (for London) actually went on in a very good way, but I can’t actually explain what happened. I lack words to explain.

“But I trust that life is like that. Even for Formula One drivers, at one time they get into an accident or get a hitch in their engine.

“First let me say thank you for the total support. We will continue to support each other, especially during this time after the misfortune I had.

“Thank you to the Nation Media Group, to all your crew and your friends, (NTV Eldoret reporter) Loise Wangui, (NTV Eldoret cameraman) Steve Keter...

“You guys in Nation Media Group are not only journalists. I always say these people from Nation Media Group are not only employed to just get news into the newsroom, but you actually touch the silent lives of people in sport.

“The profession of the people at Nation Media Group is purely on media, but you are extending an olive leaf to us to make sure that we are comfortable, and to talk on behalf of those who can’t reach where the administration is.

“I Thank Bernard Rotich for getting the news from Eldoret to put on the paper… I thank Steve for the good camerawork, I thank Wangui for the good reporting, I thank Jared Nyataya for the best ever pictures.

“You guys are no longer just sports journalists or journalists in general. You are feeling our touch. What I’m saying is coming from my heart…

“Once again let me say thank the Nation Media Group, and to everybody who has supported me and supported our camp, supported sports and running in general. I really appreciate.

“I can’t really appreciate enough, but blessings will be filled in your hearts. I trust we will forge together higher as far as humanity is concerned, and we will see you soon. Thank you!”

Makori is the Editor (Sports) at Nation Media Group.