7:30pm Partners Evening - The speaker will be Myles Edwards

Thu, Feb 21st 2013 at 12:00 am - 12:00 am

Speaker Miles Edwards. His subject was Training in Iten, Kenya - Home of Champions.

From Left Rotarian Jack Archibald, Miles Edwards, SVP Moira Cowie and Miles' Dad.

Training in Iten, Kenya/ Home of Champions

My speaker, Myles Edwards was a very interesting and confident person having only done this type of thing a few times before. Since he is only 23 years of age this is commendable

Miles was introduced to running at the age of 8 years and has completed for Scotland. He was the second fastest Aberdonian runner of all time for the 800 metres, the distance he came is aiming to qualify for at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014.To this end he is off to Kenya for the third time in March to train at altitude.

Myles produced slides showing the training camp and the conditions which exists in Iten at altitude. The tracks are basic and the conditions are basic as well for living there although he did point out that Britain has a base not very far away from the site of superior quality. Myles opted to live near the site at a very cheap cost and thus experienced the poverty existing in that part of the world.

The talk pointed out the generosity of local people even although they struggle financially, and he was made very welcome in their homes and in their Church.

During his visit to Iten he met some of their stars and has made lasting friendships with numerous families. His father and himself sponsored a race when he was there last time so that helped to foster good relations. He also pointed out that when some of the Kenyan athletes visited Aberdeen his parents and himself invited them to their homes. This was greatly appreciated by them as this had never happened to them before.

Myles met during his trip a lady who was reckoned to be 126 years of age but as Myles said it had to be taken with a pinch of salt. They are well known for being well out with time and years.

Obviously with every trip he makes to Kenya he will make new friends and hopefully the main object will be to take seconds off his running times as he is in the company of and running with the best runners in the world

This was a very enjoyable and interesting talk by Myles, and hopefully he may become a member of Rotary.

Jack Archibald

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