Two Kenyans were left astonished after being awarded live geese for winning a marathon in China.
This year's Lu’an Marathon in Anhui, China, featured a unique twist, as the winners of both the men's and women's categories were international participants.
As expected, Kenyans dominated the event, with Mathew Kiprotich and Naomi Kakoko each receiving a live goose after crossing the finish line in first place.
The tradition of gifting a live goose dates back centuries in Anhui Province, where the white goose symbolises fidelity and prosperity.
“This is a reward other than the bonus, and it is a little bit of our heart,” said the organisers.
The organising committee has continued this tradition in recent years, although the key challenge has been incorporating international athletes into the tradition. This is because international athletes are unable to fly the geese in a plane back to their home countries.
Over the last three years, race winners have not hailed from China. Despite this, organizers have stuck to the tradition since they believe it is impossible to predict where the winners will come from.
One of the winners, Kakoko, admitted she was shocked by the reward and was unsure of what to do with the goose since she could not bring it on the plane.
Because of the logistical challenges, both Kiprotich and Kakoko opted to sell their birds, with the latter selling hers to a local Chinese resident for 50 Yuan (Approximately KSh 900). At least 18 runners received geese, in a move that showed the organisers' intent to celebrate local culture.
Besides the live animal, the top three men and women in the marathon are also awarded trophies, medals and other prizes.
Interestingly, the Lu’an Marathon isn’t the only race to reward its champions with live animals. In Switzerland, there exists a Bulloise Bullfight race where winners are feted with live cattle. The animals are returned to the farms but are named after the successful athletes.
Elsewhere, all eyes will be on the Valencia Marathon on Sunday, December 1 as four Kenyans look to break records and possibly win KSh135million.
Organisers of the event have vowed to award any runner who smashes the world record at the marathon one million Euros, which is approximately Ksh 134,900,000.
