By Edwin Kibichiy–

I started running as young at five years old. I ran not because I had any vision in my mind, but to get to the grocery store to buy something for my mum. I ran to school all my elementary school years so that I won’t be late getting to school and avoid massive punishment. I ran everywhere from going to the grocery, going to school, hunting in the bush and chasing the Antelopes. Chasing my dad’s cattle and ship all over our farm as I look after them and even run three miles to and fro throughout my high school years to get to school.

I use to complain too much and regret why I was born in such a country where the only means of transportation is either run or you won’t make it to your destination. I did all this not knowing that I was building a foundation that was going to earn me a bright future. As I grew up I notice that I had a talent and I always admired every runs I did. I always wanted to one day fly and be abroad.

When the University of Louisville cross-country agreed to sign me to run for them they weren’t even sure how good I was but that marked my only way out of my country, Kenya.

I had a rough freshman year of competition, full of injuries and trying to adapt to the new culture. Seeing snow for the first time was one of the interesting things I had ever seen in my life. I not only battled with the new culture but also with the different dialect and food types. It was my first time to hold a computer mouse but that never stopped me from achieving in class.

Now all the challenges are part of my story after I turn to be the best athlete in the program history.

I represented the University of Louisville at the NCAA outdoor championship as a freshman and earned the second team all American honors. The most interesting are the impressive and stunning performance at the 2014 NCAA Southeast Cross Country championship. I finished second overall covering the ten kilometer course in a time of 30:13, beating my previous career record by one minute and qualifying to the NCAA cross country championship. The championship will be held the Saturday November 22, 2014 at Terre Haute Indiana.

My biggest goal is to represent my school and be able to put my self at the top 40 and earn all American honors again. I would also like to represent my country in Olympics one day one time in my life.

It’s running that made my American Dream come true. It has brought me this far and I still have unfinished business. I was always and still am running for my own reasons. However, in doing so I have inspired many and put the name of the University of Louisville at the top. Never give up in life; just keep pushing because there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Photos Courtesy / Kibichy and U of L athletics