Japhet seeks funds for the marathon

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to give a Kenyan marathon runner the chance to compete in Edinburgh this year.

Japhet Koech, who featured in Adharanand Finn’s bestselling book Running With The Kenyans, is said to be just outside the times needed to qualify for his country’s athletics team, and as a result lacks the necessary finances to prove himself in competition.

The Edinburgh Marathon has offered him a place in the elite section this year, but first he needs to raise £1500 to cover the cost of the trip, with fundraising taking place via the Crowd Funder website.

Japhet is said to have recorded a time only two minutes slower than the winner of last year’s Edinburgh Marathon, John Mutai, also of Kenya.

Japhet said: “It will bring new hope to my family, who will be amazed to see me running in such a great country.”