Benard's Olympic Marathon Journey
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Every now and then someone very special enters our lives with a gift that shines as bright as sunlight. We all possess the ability to do something special with what we have, but some individuals are more than this, they are here to show the rest of us what is possible at the limits of what is achievable in certain circumstances.
My name is Malc Kent, I’m a scientist, coach and full time consultant in human performance. My life’s work is helping high potential individuals in sport, develop their talents to their fullest so that they can inspire and motivate others.
4 years ago I met Benard Onsare, a Kenyan born immigrant to Canada that had a clear stand out talent for running marathons. Benard is originally from a small town in south west Kenya called Kisii. It’s not known for running but rather for its beautiful soap stone products.
From a young age Benard battled his way through life, grinding through a challenging rural farming upbringing with 6 siblings, often going without enough food, surviving malaria when other children around him didn’t and earning a hard fought education (at a school requiring a 20km run each way) that allowed him a way out of poverty and to travel abroad.
Benard’s talent in running was evident from his results in Kenyan provincial track and cross country races as a teenager. As an adult Benard moved to France to race on the European circuit achieving a personal best in the half marathon of 62 minutes (Paris, 2003). On following his coach Gord Dickson to Canada, Benard found himself in Ontario and then later Calgary.
On arrival in Calgary with no money, job or connections Benard started out by living in a homeless shelter relying on food donations. Whilst based in Calgary Benard tried to maintain his marathon training but ultimately had to prioritise working over aspirations of running success.
For the past 3 years I have helped Benard fight through the lows of serious achilles injury, a lack of money for necessary treatment, a lack of support from running groups and organisations, the heart ache of having his family (that he always sends money home to, to help them) on a different continent and the knowledge that his talent could not come to any useful good because he was trapped in a work-to-live lifestyle that stood between him and his dreams of running competitively at a high level.
[Benard taking his first cross country race win in Kenya]
I believe whole heartedly without doubt or hesitation that Benard has the ability to make the Canadian Olympic marathon team and break the long standing national record (currently 42 years old). I also believe that he has the charisma and magnetic personality required to connect to millions of runners across the country and inspire runners of all ages and levels as a role model for what is possible against all the odds and numerous difficult life challenges.
[Benard on his way to breaking the long standing course record for the Calgary Marathon]
I believe in Benard’s potential so much so that I am willing to coach him with unrelenting commitment until he reaches his career goals, no matter the ups and downs.
[Benard after winning the Niagara Falls Marathon in 2012]
Ultimately Benard chose to make Canada his long term home and earlier this year confirmed his allegiance to this country as a newly minted citizen. He believed in what was possible here. With your support he could show runners across the country that what he believed and what other immigrants alike also believe, is in fact doable at the very highest level.
With your help he can become a flag bearer for Canadian solidarity and fighting spirit. Against all the odds, no matter how tough the climate, no matter how much the underdog you can realise your dreams in a Canadian shirt.
[Benard performing charity work by sending shoes collected from Calgary runners to Kenya for kids to use]
Funds raised will be used to:
>Subsidise Benard’s living costs during focused training
>Pay for travel and entry expenses for races
>Subsidise medical treatment supporting his training
>Purchase equipment necessary to fulfill the training requirement
More inspiring links:
Benard's life story
Benard's charity work
Training on a tiny budget
Benard's hopes for representing Canada
Every now and then someone very special enters our lives with a gift that shines as bright as sunlight. We all possess the ability to do something special with what we have, but some individuals are more than this, they are here to show the rest of us what is possible at the limits of what is achievable in certain circumstances.
My name is Malc Kent, I’m a scientist, coach and full time consultant in human performance. My life’s work is helping high potential individuals in sport, develop their talents to their fullest so that they can inspire and motivate others.
4 years ago I met Benard Onsare, a Kenyan born immigrant to Canada that had a clear stand out talent for running marathons. Benard is originally from a small town in south west Kenya called Kisii. It’s not known for running but rather for its beautiful soap stone products.
From a young age Benard battled his way through life, grinding through a challenging rural farming upbringing with 6 siblings, often going without enough food, surviving malaria when other children around him didn’t and earning a hard fought education (at a school requiring a 20km run each way) that allowed him a way out of poverty and to travel abroad.
Benard’s talent in running was evident from his results in Kenyan provincial track and cross country races as a teenager. As an adult Benard moved to France to race on the European circuit achieving a personal best in the half marathon of 62 minutes (Paris, 2003). On following his coach Gord Dickson to Canada, Benard found himself in Ontario and then later Calgary.
On arrival in Calgary with no money, job or connections Benard started out by living in a homeless shelter relying on food donations. Whilst based in Calgary Benard tried to maintain his marathon training but ultimately had to prioritise working over aspirations of running success.
For the past 3 years I have helped Benard fight through the lows of serious achilles injury, a lack of money for necessary treatment, a lack of support from running groups and organisations, the heart ache of having his family (that he always sends money home to, to help them) on a different continent and the knowledge that his talent could not come to any useful good because he was trapped in a work-to-live lifestyle that stood between him and his dreams of running competitively at a high level.
[Benard taking his first cross country race win in Kenya]
I believe whole heartedly without doubt or hesitation that Benard has the ability to make the Canadian Olympic marathon team and break the long standing national record (currently 42 years old). I also believe that he has the charisma and magnetic personality required to connect to millions of runners across the country and inspire runners of all ages and levels as a role model for what is possible against all the odds and numerous difficult life challenges.
[Benard on his way to breaking the long standing course record for the Calgary Marathon]
I believe in Benard’s potential so much so that I am willing to coach him with unrelenting commitment until he reaches his career goals, no matter the ups and downs.
[Benard after winning the Niagara Falls Marathon in 2012]
Ultimately Benard chose to make Canada his long term home and earlier this year confirmed his allegiance to this country as a newly minted citizen. He believed in what was possible here. With your support he could show runners across the country that what he believed and what other immigrants alike also believe, is in fact doable at the very highest level.
With your help he can become a flag bearer for Canadian solidarity and fighting spirit. Against all the odds, no matter how tough the climate, no matter how much the underdog you can realise your dreams in a Canadian shirt.
[Benard performing charity work by sending shoes collected from Calgary runners to Kenya for kids to use]
Funds raised will be used to:
>Subsidise Benard’s living costs during focused training
>Pay for travel and entry expenses for races
>Subsidise medical treatment supporting his training
>Purchase equipment necessary to fulfill the training requirement
More inspiring links:
Benard's life story
Benard's charity work
Training on a tiny budget
Benard's hopes for representing Canada
Organizer
Malc Kent
Organizer
Cochrane, AB
