EXPORTING EXPERTISE: Ngugi inspiring Britain's next generation at founding home of cross country

John Ngugi coaching cross country runners in Shrewbury, UK, this week.

“Kenya’s five-time world cross country champion and 1988 Seoul Olympic 5,000m champion,John Ngugi, is inspiring Britain’s next generation of athletes at Shrewsbury School, UK, as a unique coaching residency nears its end.

Ngugi has spent the past week coaching, advising and assisting the school’s cross country students and staff, interacting with a total of 250 students aged between 11 and17.

The highlight was the ‘Evening with John Ngugi’ event on Wednesday (October 15) where the public, students, staff and parents had a chance to hear from the Kenyan athletics legend and pose questions to the man who put Kenya firmly on the global cross country pedestal, Malcolm Anderson of Running Across Borders told FeverPitch from UK.

The evening also highlighted the work of the John Ngugi Foundation and funds were collected to support development for budding talents back at home in Kenya.
“There are budding talent here and Kenyans must be wary about the future of cross country if we are to remain at the top. I was well received here and youths, parents and coaches are very enthusiastic about the project here,” said Ngugi during a phone interview.

“I have had a truly wonderful welcome at Shrewsbury School and I am delighted with the coaching residency so far. These students are the future of running in the UK and to play a small part in their development is a great privilege.
Fittingly, Ngugi’s trip coincided with a historic race which involved the whole of Shrewsbury School on Friday. In 1831, this race that would be named as ‘The Tucks’ was held for the first time and 183 years later Ngugi presented the prizes to the winners on the day.
“The Royal Shrewsbury School Hunt RSSH is the oldest recorded XC running organisation in the world. John being here brings him back to the roots of the founding of one of his best disciplines in athletics – cross country. We are delighted to have him involved in the life of Shrewsbury School this week,” said Peter Middleton, Shrewsbury School XC coach and staff member.

The trip came together through a partnership that has already existed between Shrewsbury School and Running Across Borders (RAB), a not-for-profit social enterprise focused on grassroot athletics, education and sports travel, based in the UK.

Two years ago RAB founder Malcolm Anderson brought Ethiopian coach Sentayehu Eshetu to the school – first coach to the Bekele brothers, Dibaba sisters and Tiki Gelana.

The School Hunt embarked on a XC tour of a lifetime when they travelled to the home of champions, Iten, Kenya and Bekoji, Ethopia in October 2013.

This year it has been the turn of Ngugi to relay his expertise and inspire Britain’s new talents in athletics.

“John is a true running legend of running and we are so pleased he could come to Shrewsbury School – the home of XC.

It has inspired us all. A massive thank you to Shrewsbury School, coach Peter Middleton and the alumni who funded the trip,” Malcolm Anderson, Founder, Running Across Borders.