Send your old running shoes to Africa..!

Mick Rice · 10-02-2009 4:16pm #1

Folks,
I was lucky enough to meet and get to know the elite Kenyan runner Lezan Kimutai last year. He stayed in our house in Athenry when he came to run the Connemara Half marathon last April and he's due to visit us again for the 2009 version of the race. On his last visit Lezan told me of a group of runners that he's coaching in Kenya and how they are constantly in need of runnning shoes to allow them to continue in the sport. Many of these runners aspire to a professional career or an athletics scholarship in the USA. He has asked that if any Irish runners I knew could save their used running shoes (the ones we all normally retire bacuse they've too many miles on them) for him that they would get another lease of life on the softer Kenyan roads. I understand that Lezan already sources some shoes of this type in Dublin through friends of his at the Dublin City Marathon and these are of great importance to him.

I've posted some more details about this on my club's web-site at (http://www.athenryac.com/have-you-got-shoes-lezan) and the Connemara Marathon will be supporting the appeal by providing drop off points at the registration areas for this years race. Shoes can also be posted to me for handing over to Lezan. If you had a pair of shoes that you'd like to send to Africa, there'd certainly be a young Kenyan runner who would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Mick Rice
Athenry AC

hunnymonster · 10-02-2009 4:20pm

Mick, Thanks a million for posting this. I've been trying to get something like this organised since just before Christmas. Anyone I've approached just wasn't interested. Do you think it would be possible to expand this beyond the Connemarathon? I would certainly be happy to contribute to the running costs and administration if we have a destination where we can send shoes. Running store owners in the past that I have talked to about this have been in agreement in principle (so we have a ready network of dropoff points) but we've never been able to find a suitable destination to send the shoes. This type of thing is common enough in the UK.

Zuppy · 10-02-2009 4:21pm

Great,
I have been looking for info on this in Ireland lately.

Can you post what condition you want them in too? I presume serviceable, clean, with the laces.

Peckham · 10-02-2009 4:21pm

Great stuff.

Would it be worth you linking in with BHAA and get them to do a collection at one of their races? I've a few pairs I'd be keen to donate, but won't be racing Connemara.

hunnymonster · 10-02-2009 4:22pm

snap.... lol

hunnymonster · 10-02-2009 4:24pm

I'll certainly do a collection at any of the munster races we're at this year. I know I spoke to Damien in amphibian king about this before and he was enthusiastic in principle. I'm sure other shops would also be, after all, if you go to drop off a pair of old trainers, you're going to need a new pair to replace them.

shels4ever · 10-02-2009 4:26pm

hunnymonster wrote: »

I'll certainly do a collection at any of the munster races we're at this year. I know I spoke to Damien in amphibian king about this before and he was enthusiastic in principle. I'm sure other shops would also be, after all, if you go to drop off a pair of old trainers, you're going to need a new pair to replace them.

I've no problem in helping out with a collection .

christeb · 10-02-2009 4:26pm

Great idea - if there was somewhere in Dublin I could drop off about 10 decent pairs that have been lying around gathering dust.

RacoonQueen · 10-02-2009 4:31pm

I've been looking for info on this and just dumped two pairs in the black bin yesterday as I was sick of stepping over them 20 times a day

TheRoadRunner · 10-02-2009 5:30pm

Great idea. I would love to drop off a couple of my old pairs of runners also. The BHAA option mentioned above would suit me best.

Mick Rice · 10-02-2009 5:32pm

Folks,
What a heartening response. I really wasn't sure how this would go down - people are very busy these days trying to keep their heads above the waters of the recession. All that is required is to get shoes to either myself or Ray O'Connor (Connemara Race Director, Unit 3, Liosbaun Business Park, Galway). If you need my postal address just PM me. I'll be at the inter-clubs on 1st March and Ballycotton a week later and could collect any shoes that people have there. The shoes don't have to be perfect by any means. It more important to get the shoes than to get only clean ones. As a rough guide they should be good for about another 100 miles of careful use on soft roads. If they're ripped, torn or are worn through to the midsole anywhere they're probably of no use - otherwise they're perfect.

My immediate aim is to collect shoes this side of the Connemarathon and see how that goes. If there's an appetite for an ongoing operation I have some contacts that might consider sponsoring a regular consignment to Lezan in Kenya.

If you think this is a good idea, take the initiative yourself in collecting shoes and getting them to me or the Connemarathon. Most of us will know someone who's heading to Connemara in April who could save on postage by bringing a bag. As far as I know it costs around Euro 5.00 to post a pair of shoes and as a fraction of the cost of a new pair it's reasonable value,

here's Hoping,

Mick.

SUNGOD · 10-02-2009 7:45pm

fantastic idea i have a press full of old runners that i was unsure what to do with , i will be bringing them with me in march and asking any fellow runners locally if they have any they dont want.
great idea to keep this going past connemara

Zuppy · 10-02-2009 7:50pm

I can gather the shoes for you in Cork and get them to Ballycotton.
If your in the Cork area and have shoes, hang on to them and I will post in a day or two when and where you can bring/ send them.

Woddle · 10-02-2009 8:03pm

I'll give you two pairs at ballycotton and one pair has hardly been used (lunar racers) and I'll leave a note in one of the shoes, may cut the ankles of you

Zuppy · 10-02-2009 8:08pm

Cork Collection Point

The Edge Sports Shop
79 North Main Street

They have offered to be a central collecting point. Wait till thursday 12th till I bring in a container for the shop.

Like Mick Rice said, Clean and good for a few more miles please.

--amadeus-- · 10-02-2009 8:10pm

Is anyone around Limerick heading to Conemmara or Ballycotton? I'm not going to either but Mrs A has been giving me endless grief about my old trainers but I didn't like the idea of throwing away perfectly good shoes. This is a brilliant idea.

If it goes on after the summer I know the main running contact in teh Limerick Sports Store pretty well, I'm sure she'd be happy to collect old shoes and spread teh word. I can ask her if you think it's a flyer.

Zuppy · 10-02-2009 8:14pm

Hi Amadeus,

I head to Limerick about once a month so find a shop in the town centre willing to collect them and I will pop up and grab them every now and again till ballycotton.

--amadeus-- · 10-02-2009 8:20pm

Result!

I'll run it by the Limerick Sports Store. Are you in town for work or out at UL? LSS would be handy enough to get to from where I am guessing you'd be going if it's work.

Zuppy · 10-02-2009 8:23pm

Family, work, coffee. Lots of different reasons to go to Limerick.

SUNGOD · 10-02-2009 8:58pm

as hannibal from the A-team said
"i love it when a plan comes together"

asimonov · 10-02-2009 10:15pm

brilliant idea...its like, you know, athlethics.

Zuppy · 10-02-2009 11:57pm

I might quote you on that asimonov

Zuppy · 14-02-2009 10:12pm

ZuppyLurk wrote: »

Cork Collection Point

The Edge Sports Shop
79 North Main Street

They have offered to be a central collecting point.
Like Mick Rice said, Clean and good for a few more miles please.

Just a reminder!!!

GoHardOrGoHome · 15-02-2009 11:13pm

This is a great idea. I'll bring my old runners to Connemara with me. Felt guilty about throwing out old pairs that I was finished with but probably had a good bit of life in them. Managed to pawn one pair off on my father for when he's mowing the lawn and another to my girlfriend's sister for cycling (I have small feet!).

What's a rough idea of the life of a pair of runners?

jlang · 15-02-2009 11:26pm

I'd say about 500 miles +/-100 or so depending on the terrain you run, your weight, your speed/intensity/gait, brand of shoe, etc. Washing in the washing machine will knock a good chunk off too.

GoHardOrGoHome · 16-02-2009 1:40am

jlang wrote: »

I'd say about 500 miles +/-100 or so depending on the terrain you run, your weight, your speed/intensity/gait, brand of shoe, etc. Washing in the washing machine will knock a good chunk off too.

Good stuff. I haven't kept track of the distance I've run in any pair but I've a brand spanking pair of swanky gold and dark silver Kayanos in the press that I have yet to use so I'll keep track of them and see how long I use them before I would normally be finished with them. I certainly don't wear them until they're falling apart. Also, I occasionally will machine wash a pair if they're absolutely filthy. If they've been completely submerged in muck during a race/run. Does anybody have a suggestion for more gentle cleaning?

hunnymonster · 16-02-2009 10:16am

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

Does anybody have a suggestion for more gentle cleaning?

I stuff with paper and put under radiator until dry then use a shoe-polish brush (the old fashioned hard type) to get as much of the dried grit off as possible. I've no idea if this is the correct approach but it works for me. Now if anyone could suggest something that will rewhiten socks, I'd be a happy woman.

damianmckeever · 16-02-2009 11:35am

Hey Great idea. I've contacted a few charties previously about this but they reckoned the cost of shipping them over wasn't worth the hassle. Spoke directly to Goal and they weren't willing to do it.

Mick as it stands at the moment I have at least 40 pairs of shoes in the shop that would have at least another 200 miles on them a pair. Would be willing to be a drop off point too as I'll be heading down to Connemara only have a small car though so hopefully we can squezze it all in.

Great idea I would say on average we would take 40 pairs a month off customers if they knew about the scheme. Would be fully supportive of putting up posters and everything in the shop to advertise it. Think it's a really good idea.

Amphibian King
Ravenhall
Upper Dargle road
Bray
Co Wicklow.

Regards,

Damian.

GoHardOrGoHome · 19-03-2009 1:18pm

Krusty put a reminder within the general Connemarathon thread but I just thought I'd give this a bump.

If you're not going to Connemara yourself but know somebody who is you could give your old runners to them.

TheRoadRunner · 19-03-2009 2:58pm

crap totally forgot about this.

Is amphibian king open late Fridays ? If so I might take a spin down tomorrow evening to drop a couple of pairs off.

Seres · 20-03-2009 12:50pm

great idea , although my old runners they would prob send them back , will mention to some mates though

Mick Rice · 24-03-2009 12:44pm

I feel seriously guilty that I haven’t been around this thread more ... but anyway, here's an update.

Part of my excuse for kind of falling off the planet for the last few weeks is that I was training fairly hard for an ultra this month and managed to pick up a stress fracture in my heel. Apparently 776 miles in 7 weeks is too much. Who could have known :-) Anyway, depression anger and egotism set in big time and I'm just starting to crawl out of my hole in the last week or so.

The situation with shoes is a lot better. Many, many people brought shoes to the Connemara Marathon Registration and many more gave them to me at various times and places over the last number of weeks. I'd guess that so far we have around 300 pair, mostly in fantastic condition. One international runner delivered two huge bags full of shoes to me, the vast majority of which were brand new and with labels still attached. People are very generous. There is also a strong possibility that a triathlon event will collect another large number of shoes that we can send to Kenya and to Lezan's training group.

Lezan travelled back to Kenya yesterday and brought with him a large number of shoes, many more that I had thought would be possible. Apparently he had some contact with the airline that made it possible for him not to worry about the usual baggage restrictions. Good job he wasn't with Ryanair I suppose :-)

I'm now in the process of working out the best way of getting the remaining shoes to Nairobi from where Lezan can transport the shoes to Eldoret where he lives. I've had some concrete and some tentative offers of financial support for the task of shipping the shoes but have yet to establish the most cost effective method of doing this. If you have any suggestions I'd be glad to hear them. Approaches to some major sports retailers and the Kenyan Embassy have so far drawn a blank. The people who have thus far offered financial help are private individuals that don't want to be named.

One way or another we'll get this done. I'd like, of course to thank everyone, who came up trumps with shoes over the last few weeks and I'll hope to post here more regularly on progress in weeks to come.

Zuppy · 24-03-2009 3:43pm

Still have 2 full bags in shed. If your in Cork and still want to give, The Edge Sports shop 79 North main street will still take them.

village runner · 24-03-2009 7:42pm

Mick Rice wrote: »

Folks,
I was lucky enough to meet and get to know the elite Kenyan runner Lezan Kimutai last year. He stayed in our house in Athenry when he came to run the Connemara Half marathon last April and he's due to visit us again for the 2009 version of the race. On his last visit Lezan told me of a group of runners that he's coaching in Kenya and how they are constantly in need of runnning shoes to allow them to continue in the sport. Many of these runners aspire to a professional career or an athletics scholarship in the USA. He has asked that if any Irish runners I knew could save their used running shoes (the ones we all normally retire bacuse they've too many miles on them) for him that they would get another lease of life on the softer Kenyan roads. I understand that Lezan already sources some shoes of this type in Dublin through friends of his at the Dublin City Marathon and these are of great importance to him.

I've posted some more details about this on my club's web-site at (http://www.athenryac.com/have-you-got-shoes-lezan) and the Connemara Marathon will be supporting the appeal by providing drop off points at the registration areas for this years race. Shoes can also be posted to me for handing over to Lezan. If you had a pair of shoes that you'd like to send to Africa, there'd certainly be a young Kenyan runner who would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Mick Rice
Athenry AC

Any pick up point around the kilkenny area ??

stmochtas · 30-09-2009 3:27pm

Are we still collecting runners for this cause? Where is the dublin drop-off point if so?

Thanks

Mick Rice · 30-09-2009 3:47pm

Unfortunately we've had to stop collecting for the moment as we still have quite a few that have yet to make it to Kenya. Lezan has been in touch and he's travelling to Dublin for the marathon and he'll have one other runner from his group with him. Between them both they'll get quite a lot of shoes back on the plane to Nairobi and may be able to recruit some of the other Kenyan athletes to bring some shoes back for him or for themselves to clear our current 'stock'. Thankfully the luggage allowance for these flights are not of the Ryanair variety. Last March Lezan got about about 70 pairs into his own luggage and I'd expect that between various routes he'll get about four times that number back this year.

We had hoped at the outset that we'd be able to secure regular sponsorship for transit of shoes to Nairobi, where Lezan had said he could collect and bring back to where his group trains, but all avenues we turned to turned up blank aside from a few very honourable offers from private individuals. We asked for some assistance from the Kenyan Embassy and didn't even get a reply. We asked a number of sports related businesses and also drew a blank. Perhaps our timing wasn't great given all of the current ecconomic troubles.

It's best to stop collecting for the moment unless anyone knows of a cheap or free way to transport these shoes to Kenya.

gaffo7 · 01-10-2009 10:54am

have a pair of nike structure which i paid 130 euro for, wore them twice and they are hurting me. not bothered trying to sell them would rather pass them on to cause such as this. I have another old pair there too.
I am living in dublin 14, why dont we start breaking up the greater dublin area by area code and looking for volunteer to collect for each area. I will do dublin 14 and 16??

nutzzz123 · 01-10-2009 1:09pm

Mick Rice wrote: »

Unfortunately we've had to stop collecting for the moment as we still have quite a few that have yet to make it to Kenya. Lezan has been in touch and he's travelling to Dublin for the marathon and he'll have one other runner from his group with him. Between them both they'll get quite a lot of shoes back on the plane to Nairobi and may be able to recruit some of the other Kenyan athletes to bring some shoes back for him or for themselves to clear our current 'stock'. Thankfully the luggage allowance for these flights are not of the Ryanair variety. Last March Lezan got about about 70 pairs into his own luggage and I'd expect that between various routes he'll get about four times that number back this year.

We had hoped at the outset that we'd be able to secure regular sponsorship for transit of shoes to Nairobi, where Lezan had said he could collect and bring back to where his group trains, but all avenues we turned to turned up blank aside from a few very honourable offers from private individuals. We asked for some assistance from the Kenyan Embassy and didn't even get a reply. We asked a number of sports related businesses and also drew a blank. Perhaps our timing wasn't great given all of the current ecconomic troubles.

It's best to stop collecting for the moment unless anyone knows of a cheap or free way to transport these shoes to Kenya.

out of curiousity, how much does it cost to send a certain quantity to Kenya.

walshb · 01-10-2009 2:06pm

Mick Rice wrote: »

Folks,
I was lucky enough to meet and get to know the elite Kenyan runner Lezan Kimutai last year. He stayed in our house in Athenry when he came to run the Connemara Half marathon last April and he's due to visit us again for the 2009 version of the race. On his last visit Lezan told me of a group of runners that he's coaching in Kenya and how they are constantly in need of runnning shoes to allow them to continue in the sport. Many of these runners aspire to a professional career or an athletics scholarship in the USA. He has asked that if any Irish runners I knew could save their used running shoes (the ones we all normally retire bacuse they've too many miles on them) for him that they would get another lease of life on the softer Kenyan roads. I understand that Lezan already sources some shoes of this type in Dublin through friends of his at the Dublin City Marathon and these are of great importance to him.

I've posted some more details about this on my club's web-site at (http://www.athenryac.com/have-you-got-shoes-lezan) and the Connemara Marathon will be supporting the appeal by providing drop off points at the registration areas for this years race. Shoes can also be posted to me for handing over to Lezan. If you had a pair of shoes that you'd like to send to Africa, there'd certainly be a young Kenyan runner who would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Mick Rice
Athenry AC

Is this a joke, in case anyone hasn't noticed, the Africans are kicking our asses on the track and we should be sending our runners?

And if you don't send them, it won' matter a damn to him, he'll still kick your ass on the track.

I can just see it now, Paddy is blazing as hard as he can on the track and Mr Kenya roars by him
with a pair of raggedy asics on. "Hey, they're mine, come back here now."

Actually, it could spur Paddy on to run faster.

I am not trying to be funny, but where did this idea come from?

I reckon it will work for a couple of years, but then Mr Kenya will
be back over saying, "Thanks Ireland, doin' great with those runners, but
they're a little old fashioned and out of date, can you from now on send over
the latest new pairs please"

And Paddy will then be begging for new pairs fresh from the stores....

I think it's awful smug and arrogant to be so patronising to the Africans.
They are doin' damn well enough on the track and aren't waiting
on Paddy to sort them with medals OR runners. I can just here it: "Oh, these runners are a little smelly, send them
to the poor Africans. They won't care, sure aren't they grateful for any old crap."

a123 · 01-10-2009 6:02pm

walshb wrote: »

I am not trying to be funny, but where did this idea come from?

"

I think you'll find if you read Mick's post carefully that:

He has asked that if any Irish runners I knew could save their used running shoes (the ones we all normally retire bacuse they've too many miles on them) for him that they would get another lease of life on the softer Kenyan roads. I understand that Lezan already sources some shoes of this type in Dublin through friends of his at the Dublin City Marathon and these are of great importance to him.

He being Lezan Kimutai.

I think it's awful smug and arrogant to be so patronising to the Africans.
They are doin' damn well enough on the track and aren't waiting
on Paddy to sort them with medals OR runners. I can just here it: "Oh, these runners are a little smelly, send them
to the poor Africans. They won't care, sure aren't they grateful for any old crap."

I don't post very much here to be honest but I find your last comment uncalled for. I don't believe there is anyone here thinking that, they are only trying to offer the help that has been asked for.

"Oh, these runners are a little smelly, send them
to the poor Africans. They won't care, sure aren't they grateful for any old crap."

This part was only said by you, thought by you and is a poor reflection on you, you didn't hear it anywhere.

Sorry if thats harsh but I am disappointed by your comments

ultraman1 · 01-10-2009 6:07pm

asimonov · 01-10-2009 6:13pm

walshb wrote: »

Is this a joke, in case anyone hasn't noticed, the Africans are kicking our asses on the track and we should be sending our runners?

And if you don't send them, it won' matter a damn to him, he'll still kick your ass on the track.

I can just see it now, Paddy is blazing as hard as he can on the track and Mr Kenya roars by him
with a pair of raggedy asics on. "Hey, they're mine, come back here now."

Actually, it could spur Paddy on to run faster.

I am not trying to be funny, but where did this idea come from?

I reckon it will work for a couple of years, but then Mr Kenya will
be back over saying, "Thanks Ireland, doin' great with those runners, but
they're a little old fashioned and out of date, can you from now on send over
the latest new pairs please"

And Paddy will then be begging for new pairs fresh from the stores....

I think it's awful smug and arrogant to be so patronising to the Africans.
They are doin' damn well enough on the track and aren't waiting
on Paddy to sort them with medals OR runners. I can just here it: "Oh, these runners are a little smelly, send them
to the poor Africans. They won't care, sure aren't they grateful for any old crap."

deja-vu. bored already.

walshb · 01-10-2009 8:38pm

So, you see no problem with smelly and stinking Irish second hand trainers on an Africans feet? I guess that shows the lack of compassion for the Africans then.

Anyway, does anyone really believe that the Kenyan athletes are waiting on the good old Irish to solve their running problems?

As far as I know, and the last time I checked, the Kenyans were doing just fine on the track and in championships. Seriously, it's not April 1st yet.
This thread should have waited till then

--amadeus-- · 01-10-2009 8:59pm

Not the time or place for political soapboxing walshb. And for everyone else, if you object to a post please report it.

Since Mick has said that they aren't in a position to collect more shoes anyway I'm going to lock this before we end up with another free for all.

Send your old running shoes to Africa..!

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