A rare scenario was witnessed at the 2019 edition of the Okpekpe 10KM race in Nigeria after a Kenyan athlete stopped to help his colleague, who nearly collapsed.
Simon Cheprot helped his fallen colleague Kinrono Kipkendi cross the finish line and in the process loosing his place as a top contender.
“Running is not war; running brings peace, unity & friendship.
"My dad told me one day, ‘When you’re walking and you meet a sick person on the road, help him; do not leave him’, so that was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw my friend on the ground," Cheprot stated.
Although he lost, Cheprot was awarded Ksh1 million through joint efforts of former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole & Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu for being a brother's keeper.
The Nigeria IAAF representative, Mike Itemuagbor also rewarded the athlete for his humanitarian effort.
Cheprot was the overall winner of the 2016 Okpekpe 10KM race and finished second in 2018.
He is a long-distance runner who mainly competes in road running events.
His half-marathon's personal best is 59:20 minutes, set in 2013, which ranks him in the top 40 of all time.
Below are photos of him helping his colleagues during the race;
