On the 1st August, we launched a groundbreaking initiative, the Athletics Race Fund, to support talented runners from the hub of speed  in Iten, Kenya. For decades, this small town has been a breeding ground for some of the greatest long-distance runners in history. Yet, for every superstar who makes it big, there are countless others training just as hard, their dreams often sidelined by a simple, crushing barrier: lack of funding or basic support. 

At DBA Africa, we've seen this firsthand. We've met the dedicated athletes who put in the miles, day in and day out, fueled by little more than hope. They possess the talent and the grit, but the basic costs of competition from proper nutrition to race facilitation are often out of reach.

Our mission is to directly support elite and veteran athletes in their careers, providing the essential resources they need to compete. This fund is not just about a single race; it's about providing an end-to-end support system that allows athletes to focus on what they do best, running.

A Story of Success: Five Athletes from Iten

We are incredibly proud to share the story of five athletes from Iten, our first beneficiaries of the fund. Their journey is a powerful testament to the impact of this campaign and why such a fund is needed..

The fund's initial support was directed towards two key races, and the results were nothing short of inspiring.

First, at the Betika Uasin Gishu race on August 10th, two athletes showcased their incredible talent:

• Janet Kiptoo, an elite runner, finished 6th, securing a prize of 30,000 KES.
• Leonida Agatha, a remarkable 58-year-old veteran, came in 2nd in the Masters, earning 20,000 KES.

But the success story didn't stop there. On August 18th, an additional three athletes received support from the fund to compete in the Roan Antelope Half Marathon in Homa Bay. The results from this event were even more spectacular, with Leonida entering her second event and continuing her winning streak.

• Leonida Agatha came in 1st, claiming a massive prize of 100,000 KES.
• Brian Ownio also secured 1st place, winning 100,000 KES.
• Viola Cheboi took 9th place, winning a prize of 15,000 KES.
• Dennis Waka finished in 14th place - just seconds away from prize money

In total, these five athletes, with the support of the DBA Africa Athletics Race Fund, earned an incredible 265,000 KES in prize money. They only needed 9000ksh between them to facilitate these races and this turned into 2650,000ksh.  This is more than a number, it represents a tangible shift in their lives, an opportunity to build on their success, and the potential to achieve their lifelong dreams.  It shows the need for the ARF and that the results change lives. Which is exactly what we set out to do, and it has been proven in the very first weekend. 

The Athletics Race Fund is about more than just financial aid. It's about empowering dedicated individuals and giving them the chance to compete on an even playing field. We are thrilled with the initial success of this initiative and are committed to continuing our support for the incredible talent that exists within the Kenyan athletics community. With every step, we are breaking barriers and fuelling dreams, one athlete at a time. In the words of their Coach, Jaffet, ‘Now you can see with what ARF has helped us with, it has allowed the athletes to put food on the table, pay rent, pay school fees and other needs. It has given them more than hope, it has restored their faith and motivation.’

To get involved click here: https://rb.gy/cl2c08