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Mukunga
ABOUT MUKUNGA
Mukunga Ibrahim Wachiraga is a 23-year-old Kenyan marathon runner from Kiarage, Kenya. Mukunga is from the Kikuyu tribe, the largest of Kenya's 42 tribes. While Mukunga was growing up his father was killed in a car accident. Unfortunately, Kenyan law did not allow minors or women to inherent land (this law has since changed), and with the passing of Mukunga's father the family also lost nearly 100 acres of land. Circumstances left young Mukunga to help support his family by picking tea leafs with his mother. Mukunga quickly became one of the best tea-pickers in his village, collecting more than 50kg (110lbs) of tea leafs per day!
During his early teen years, Mukunga found a love for running. At school he easily ran circles around his classmates. While training in shoes handed down from more accomplished runners in nearby villages, Mukunga began his journey to the professional ranks. Mukunga continued to succeed, despite only being able to eat one meal many days and working in the tea fields to help feed his family. Due to his lack of nutrition, he would often pass out after training runs. After one particularly exhausting session, Mukunga woke up in the hospital, where he spent three days recovering from dehydration and malnutrition. These setbacks have only served to strengthen his desire and further solidified his goals of making the Kenyan national team and breaking the marathon world record.
In 2013 tragedy stuck once again. Mukunga's sister, a mother of two, died of illness. His sister's passing placed increased stress on Mukunga to support his sister's children and help them pay their school fees. In a fortunate turn of events, Mukunga met Estonian Olympian, Tiidrek Nurme. Tiidrek was looking for a training partner to help him with high-intensity workouts and Mukunga was suggested. The two quickly hit it off while training in the mountains of Kenya and Ethiopia.
Tiidrek offered Mukunga an opportunity to travel to Europe for a two-month racing and training segment. During the short trip to Europe, Mukunga made more money in two months than he had in the past 2 years picking tea leafs. With this money, Mukunga has been able to help his family and village but his heart still aches for his sister's orphaned daughters.
Mukunga Ibrahim Wachiraga is a 23-year-old Kenyan marathon runner from Kiarage, Kenya. Mukunga is from the Kikuyu tribe, the largest of Kenya's 42 tribes. While Mukunga was growing up his father was killed in a car accident. Unfortunately, Kenyan law did not allow minors or women to inherent land (this law has since changed), and with the passing of Mukunga's father the family also lost nearly 100 acres of land. Circumstances left young Mukunga to help support his family by picking tea leafs with his mother. Mukunga quickly became one of the best tea-pickers in his village, collecting more than 50kg (110lbs) of tea leafs per day!
During his early teen years, Mukunga found a love for running. At school he easily ran circles around his classmates. While training in shoes handed down from more accomplished runners in nearby villages, Mukunga began his journey to the professional ranks. Mukunga continued to succeed, despite only being able to eat one meal many days and working in the tea fields to help feed his family. Due to his lack of nutrition, he would often pass out after training runs. After one particularly exhausting session, Mukunga woke up in the hospital, where he spent three days recovering from dehydration and malnutrition. These setbacks have only served to strengthen his desire and further solidified his goals of making the Kenyan national team and breaking the marathon world record.
In 2013 tragedy stuck once again. Mukunga's sister, a mother of two, died of illness. His sister's passing placed increased stress on Mukunga to support his sister's children and help them pay their school fees. In a fortunate turn of events, Mukunga met Estonian Olympian, Tiidrek Nurme. Tiidrek was looking for a training partner to help him with high-intensity workouts and Mukunga was suggested. The two quickly hit it off while training in the mountains of Kenya and Ethiopia.
Tiidrek offered Mukunga an opportunity to travel to Europe for a two-month racing and training segment. During the short trip to Europe, Mukunga made more money in two months than he had in the past 2 years picking tea leafs. With this money, Mukunga has been able to help his family and village but his heart still aches for his sister's orphaned daughters.
Photos provided by Rozenvald Photography