The Story So Far...

On October 10, Stazza, the Stablemaster, will head back out to Iten to spend the better part of five months overseeing the training of the Arete Squad. While there, he'll work away at continuing to develop the Arete Program, setting up the necessary processes to help the sustainability of the program.

The original plan was to head out to Iten in January 2017, check out everything, go back in October and do more scoping, and then launch the program. But the best laid schemes of mice and men…

What actually happened was that members of Stazza’s Stable gave Nicodemus a lift down to the Tambach track and then on the way home, Stazza and Dori Storbeck (Webmaster and Project Manager) decided to kick-off things and started the program there and then. Dori took off her Garmin and handed it over to Nicodemus. Then, later in the day, as Dori and Natalie Braegger were heading home to the US, Natalie purchased a smart phone for Nicodemus. In no time, Nicodemus was on Strava and the Arete program was born. Within a couple of weeks, a few more runners were brought in and the Go Fund Me campaign was launched.

So far we have managed to bring in 3 runners (Nicodemus, Hosea, and Richard) and support them, including Richard’s wife, Sally, and their 3 children. We have moved the Arete runners from squalid conditions to comfortable housing, with electricity, hot water and decent living space, which is safe and secure. We have furnished the accommodation with everything from new beds and mattresses to kitchen utensils and internet access (so they can upload to Strava and connect with Stablemates from around the globe).

We set them up with a huge stock of staple foods like rice, maize, beans, sugar, flour, and other goods too. Gas stoves and bottles were procured, so they had the choice to cook with charcoal or gas.

The lads were given suitcases full of running kit and shoes, and a Garmin and smart phones. Emergency medical care was provided. Transport costs for races and weekly training at Tambach track, Chepkoilel University Track in Eldoret, and the Moiben Road for long tempo runs were/are covered too. Brand new racing shoes, spikes, and gels were all bought for the lads to help with their training and racing.

The squad members have been able to focus on their training and already the fruit of their labors is paying dividends: Richard Lagat finished 17th in the Iten Marathon (one of the most stacked marathon fields on the planet). His hard work and performance was noticed. He will pace the elite field at the Ravenna Marathon, 11th November 2018. His flights, accommodation, and meals, are all covered by the race organisers. He will receive a payment for his pacing duties and he can continue in the race after 30km to battle for a podium spot and prize money. The Arete program will cover the return costs of Richard’s travel from Iten to Eldoret, and his return flights from Eldoret to Nairobi.

Now that things have settled, we have found a system that appears to be working well. Each month, the squad members have their rent paid, their electricity, and their internet. Each squad member receives a weekly allowance to cover living expenses (food and toiletries etc).

All of this is down to the generous donations made by Stablemates, their families and friends, and some great fundraising. Within The Stable, Jon and Mel Davis put on sweepstakes to raise money and another sweepstakes was set up for the Belfast 24hr race. A special mention for Aoife Lyons (Head of Charitable Giving): Aoife managed to raise in excess of €1,000 for the program by organising a fundraiser for her Belfast 24hr race. The generosity has been humbling for all of us involved in the program and for the squad members too.

But as we move forward, we need to ensure the program is sustainable. To this end, we have registered the program as a 501c3 in the US (more to follow on this). In short, this will make it easier for us to pitch to businesses for donations. Through partnership with businesses, we will ensure the program will flourish. So, if you own a business and would like to donate to the program please contact us and we will explain how helping the Squad actually has many benefits for your business as well!