Australian athlete Lachlan Morton embarked on an 867-kilometer journey in honour of Kenyan cyclist Suleiman Kangangi, popularly known as Sule, who died in the United States during a race.
Morton kicked off the journey on Tuesday, September 6, with the aim of remembering and raising funds for Sule's family.
He noted that he does not aim to break record during the journey but will have enough time to think of the deceased Kenyan athlete.
He is expected to complete the journey on the Colorado Trail, in the US, this week.
“If I’m being honest, I’ve just tried to keep myself very busy which I know is not necessarily the right way to do it but I know I’m going to have a lot of time out there to think about him. No doubt, I’ll be thinking about him for sure,” Morton stated.
The cyclist will be promoting a Go Fund Me set up to raise funds for the family of the late Kangangi to aid in transporting his body back to Kenya.
So far, Ksh8.4 million has been raised through the drive surpassing the Ksh4.8 million (USD40,000) target.
"On the occasion of his untimely and tragic passing, the friends of Sule Kangangi have created a memorial fund solely dedicated to supporting Sule's wife and children. He was not only the Captain of Team Amani but also a leader in African cycling.
"His dream of bringing East African cycling to the world was becoming a concrete reality these last few weeks as he had the opportunity to race in the US for the first time," read the statement on the fundraising page in part.
Kangangi passed away during a high-octane 59-mile dirt road bicycle race at the Vermont Overland grounds.
The grounds owner, Ansel Dickey, noted that individuals who participated in the race were shocked by the turn of events and described the grounds as well-maintained and straight.
He added that the other cyclists rushed to help him after he crashed but passed away en route to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. 1,100 cyclists participated in the race.
Charity rides
Morton also engaged in other charity rides in the past including in March 2022 when he raised Ksh24 million for the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.
He made the ride from Munich to Ukraine's border with Poland and rode for 42 hours straight.
