In December, Ethiopian runner Tesfaye Tsegaye Keress skillfully navigated through almost 18,000 participants to secure a prime spot near the starting line of the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Standing at just 1.62 meters (5.3ft) tall and weighing about 50kg (116 pounds), Keress used his small stature to weave through the crowd and position himself strategically at the front before the race began. Accompanied by fellow Ethiopian runner Dereje Alemu Miko, Keress had his sights set on winning the marathon and the $2,500 cash prize that came with it.
Despite being considered an average runner in Ethiopia, Keress’s speed made him a top contender in Vietnam’s booming marathon scene. With the rise in popularity of running in Vietnam, the country has seen a surge in marathon events, attracting high-caliber athletes like Keress and his competitor from Kenya, Edwin Kiptoo.
Keress and Miko, managed by a promoter from Thailand, traveled to Vietnam to compete in the marathon and half-marathon, aiming to not only win but also secure sponsorships and deals that could elevate their status in the running world.
As they navigated the challenges of competing in a foreign country, Keress, Miko, and Kiptoo found themselves not only vying for victory but also adapting to the local culture and forging unexpected friendships along the way.
Luck still hasn’t turned in their favor. During a search for accommodation, Kiptoo handed his passport to Le Hoan and discovered they were born in the same year, with Kiptoo’s birthday coinciding with Le Hoan’s wife’s. This auspicious alignment led to an invitation to Le Hoan’s home, where Kiptoo shared his struggles and motivations over dinner. Le Hoan generously paid for Kiptoo’s hostel stay on the eve of a major race, where Kiptoo emerged victorious, winning a cash prize on the spot. Despite Kiptoo’s offer to repay the kindness, Le Hoan refused, showcasing his and his family’s unexpected generosity.
Kiptoo’s success in Vietnam has skyrocketed since then, making him a celebrated figure in the country’s running scene. He has secured a major sponsorship deal with Do-Win Vietnam, providing financial security, competition expenses, and a professional visa. Kiptoo now has access to exclusive sports facilities and resources, allowing him to focus entirely on training and dominating Vietnam’s marathons.
Despite the challenges and risks inherent in marathon running, Kiptoo’s success has brought him financial rewards and local celebrity status in Vietnam. His story has resonated with Vietnamese fans, who follow his achievements and support him in his running journey.
However, competing in Vietnam remains unpredictable and challenging for African runners like Kiptoo. The professional journey is fraught with unexpected twists and turns, from misunderstandings with sponsors to unforeseen obstacles during races. Yet, Kiptoo’s determination and resilience have propelled him to the forefront of Vietnam’s running scene, where he continues to inspire and impress with his performances. Mereka menceritakan kepada Al Jazeera bagaimana mereka menghormati manajer Thailand mereka, melihatnya sebagai sosok ayah.
Tapi hubungannya terlihat lebih dekat dengan karyawan dan majikan, dengan pelari-pelari sangat terikat oleh imperatif utama untuk mencapai kinerja yang baik untuk tim dan sponsor mereka – dalam dinamika kekuasaan yang tidak terucapkan.
Keress dan Miko menceritakan bagaimana mereka memiliki rencana untuk kembali ke Ethiopia dan bersatu kembali dengan keluarga mereka.
Mereka tidak tahu berapa banyak uang hadiah yang akan mereka bawa pulang karena biaya perjalanan mereka ke kompetisi, akomodasi, dan makanan dikurangkan dari kemenangan mereka.
Dan tidak semua maraton membayar pemenang secara langsung – beberapa hadiah ditunda selama bulan-bulan dan keamanan finansial jauh dari pasti bagi banyak pelari.
Meskipun kesulitan dan ketidakpastian yang dihadapi para pelari pemburu hadiah di Vietnam, rumor tentang negara itu sebagai tujuan yang mengubah hidup bagi atlet tersebar di Afrika Timur, menurut Kiptoo, Keress, dan yang lainnya.
Sebelumnya seorang guru di Eldoret, di wilayah Lembah Rift Kenya, gaji yang sedikit dari Kiptoo hampir tidak mendukung keluarganya. Kemudian COVID-19 datang dan keuangan keluarganya hancur. Itulah, katanya, ketika dia mulai berlari secara serius sebagai jalan keluar dari kemiskinan.
Kesuksesannya di Vietnam tidak hanya memungkinkannya untuk mendukung keluarganya tetapi juga membeli beberapa properti sebagai investasi di Kenya.
Kiptoo menceritakan bagaimana dia tidak pernah mengharapkan bahwa Vietnam akan menjadi begitu pusat bagi kehidupannya sebagai atlet dan pencari nafkah bagi keluarganya.
“Di Kenya, kami menonton banyak film Vietnam, tapi sangat sedikit orang yang benar-benar tahu seperti apa negara itu,” kata Kiptoo.
Di awal, dia pun tidak tahu.
Sekarang dengan maraton diproyeksikan akan terus tumbuh dalam beberapa tahun mendatang, daya tarik Vietnam bagi pelari Afrika kemungkinan besar tidak akan segera surut.