Up until the recent public unrest in Kenya that followed the recent election, to many people the east African nation was best known for its continued dominance of international long distance running.
One of those running greats was Wesly Ngetich, winner of the 2005 and 2007 Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota. Ngetich was killed today during fighting in his home region of Trans Mara, Kenya by an arrow that shot him in the chest. He was 34 and married, and he leaves behind three small children
Don't be fooled by the name--Grandma's, named for a Duluth restaurant, is a top tier marathon and sells out every year, despite its out-of-the-way location. If you're anywhere near Duluth during Grandma's weekend, you can forget about finding a hotel room.
Ngetich was planning to return to Duluth in June to defend his title.
Ngetich was also top three finisher in the Austin, Toronto Waterfront, and Houston marathons. It was in the latter where Ngetich ran his personal best marathon time of 2 hours and 12 minutes--he finished second in that race.
Ngetich was a member of the Maasai tribe, which mostly supports opposition leader Raila Odinga.
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