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“chasingKIMBIA” to begin it’s second season

Posted February 16th, 2007 at 8:30 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

“chasingKIMBIA”, the web-based documentary series which chronicled the training and racing of a small group of mostly Kenyan athletes, has opened its second season.

In 2006 the documentary followed seven athletes as they prepared to run in the World Marathon Majors events in Chicago and New York. Most of the footage was shot in Boulder, Colo., where they were training at the time under coach Dieter Hogen.

For the 2007 season, the focus shifts to Iten, Kenya, as the athletes prepare for their spring marathons, including Boston, London and Rotterdam.

“The goal of ‘chasingKIMBIA’ is to promote the elite athletes in our sport,” said Tom Ratcliffe, the athlete agent who runs the project. “Running fans know the Kenyans are successful, but most can’t name more than a handful of athletes. At the major marathons the spectators clap idly as the lead pack runs by. With this project we’re hoping to connect the athletes with the fans.”

Ratcliffe reported that some 68,000 people tuned in to “chasingKIMBIA” last year and that was reflected by the fan support the athletes received on the streets of Chicago and New York.

“Season One proved a step in the right direction as the athletes commented on the number of people shouting their names on the streets of Chicago and New York,” Ratcliffe reported.

The athletes chronicled in the 2006 season had mixed results. In Chicago, Ben Maiyo finished 8th, Thomas Kiplitan was 11th, Charles Kibiwott was 13th, and John Yuda was 19th. But the team rebounded in New York where Stephen Kiogora, known to his friends and fans as “Baba,” took second and Thomas Nyariki finished 13th.