Posted by Pamela on Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 , Posted in Blog, News , Comments Off
After taking shelter from a welcome afternoon rainstorm, the Daraja girls—wearing their new Bay to Breakers t-shirts—burst out from the starting line with smiles and cheers for the first ever Daraja Lap-A-Thon on Sunday afternoon.
The girls were pumped up from the beginning with news that Kenyan runner and winner of last year’s Bay to Breakers run, Lineth Chepkurui, was participating in this year’s race for them and Daraja Academy. (Check out the video!)
They ran 28 laps of a 400-metre track with support from each other, their teachers, and Daraja staff and volunteers on campus. They were further encouraged knowing how many more supporters around the world were cheering them on!
The girls were strong from the start, with few showing fatigue until about halfway through the race. At around the same time some of the girls started kicking their sneakers off to the side of the track, more comfortable running barefoot than with ‘heavy’ shoes. As the going got more difficult, runners held hands around the circuit, splitting up only to get their race cards punched before quickly regrouping.
When the girls completed their 28th and final lap, there were cheers, hugs and congratulations all around. First to cross the line was Form 2 student Lisayo, followed closely by Irene W. from Form 1. Another Form 1 student, Lillian, finished third.
This event was extremely special for them because it gave the students a chance to raise money for the first time. It was very empowering for the girls and it is an important aspect that we hope to continue to implement in the future. Thank you to the donors from around the world that helped make history at the first ever Daraja Lap-a-thon!
Posted by Daraja Team on Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 , Posted in Blog, News , Comments Off
Last Sunday at 7 a.m., Lineth Chepkurui and the rest of the elite runners started the 7.46 Bay to Breakers race. A mere 39 minutes 12 seconds later, Lineth crossed the finish line and earned her third-straight Bay to Breakers win! As soon as Lineth won, she pinned the badge of her partner, Daraja Academy 11th grader Catherine Epur, on her Nike jacket to remind reporters who she was running for.
“She just got it right away,” explained co-founder Jason Doherty who was by her side at the finish line. “She comes from a family of education. Her mother is a headmaster. Lineth understands how important and special Daraja is. She fit right into the Daraja family.”
Lineth finished the race before the rest of the Race for 77 team even started! The other runners were scheduled to run at 8:15 a.m. With reports of rain and hail, the team was expecting the worse. After an initial episode of rain, however, the rest of the day was a sunny and cool temperature that was perfect for the race.
“I had such a great time! People at the race would look at my badge and ask, ‘Who’s Bennie?!,’ explained Race for 77 team member Ashley Trujillo who was partnered with Daraja student Bennie. “It was the perfect moment to quickly spread the message about Daraja!”
Seven miles into the course, the designated Daraja cheerleaders set up shop with water, snacks and posters for the team. The cheerleaders helped give Daraja runners that extra boost of energy to make it to the finish lane!
The day held true to the typical Bay to Breakers tradition of crazy costumes and nudists, but race organizer Zazzle did a great job at keeping it in control. After the race, the team called Kenya to see how the Lap-a-thon went (see picture below). It turned out that ALL the girls ran the entire 28 laps! Stay tuned for an update on the campus Race for 77 events straight from Kenya.
A big, fat thanks to all the Race for 77 team members in the Bay Area and abroad that made this happen. You helped raise more than $53,000- this is almost enough to finance a whole class of girls going to school. You guys are amazing and you are making a difference in this world.
Check out the local coverage
Runner helps raise funds for African school founded by San Rafael residents, Marin Independant Journal (Marin IJ)
B2B Winner Runs to Benefit Kenyan Girls’ School , CBS TV. Click “Local”
Dogged determination marks 100th Bay to Breakers run, San Jose Mercury News
2010 Race Winner and Other Bay Area Supporters Run for Kenyan Girls Education in this year’s 100th Bay to Breakers Race, San Francisco Sentinel
KGO, 48:40
Stay tuned for updates on how the Lap-a-thon went in Kenya!
Posted by Daraja Team on Friday, May 13th, 2011 , Posted in Blog, News , Comments Off
We have only three days left until the race. With 55,000 people participating in Bay to Breakers, it is vital to know all of the day’s logistics. Don’t leave this for the last minute because you may not be able to participate in the race!
Your Checklist:
1) Pick up your race packet: Each runner must have their race packet before the race. If your race packet was not delivered to you, you must pick up the packet at the Zazzle Greater Body Expo located at the West Concourse of the S.F. Design Center, 635 8th Street (between Townsend and Brannan Streets) in San Francisco. Expo hours:
Friday, May 13th from 11am – 7pm
Saturday, May 14th from 9am – 6pm
If you cannot pick up your packet, email racefor77@daraja-academy.org by May 13th at 11am, and we will retrieve your packet for you.
2) Connect with your partner: Send a message to your Daraja partner by May 13th. We will print out your answers and give them to your partner the night before the Daraja Lap-a-thon so that she knows you are supporting her!
3) Memorize the Race Day Details page! Did you know the Daraja team is now meeting at 7:45am at the Bow and Arrow on the Embarcadero? You would if you had checked out our Race Day Details page. This page will provide all the information you need so that you aren’t lost and confused on race day.
4) Wear the Daraja team gear: Be sure to wear your Daraja T-shirt or a regular black T-shirt so that you can be identified as part of the Daraja team. If you’d like to dress it up with a cool costume, go for it!
5) Get ready to have a memorable and crazy day! ..and wish on a star that Bay to Breakers reigning champion and our Race for 77 team member Lineth Chepkurui wins the race again!
Posted by Daraja Team on Monday, May 9th, 2011 , Posted in Blog, News , Comments Off
Daraja Race for 77 runners and cheerleaders: We are approaching May 15th so please be sure you know everything there is to know about the big day! We have all the race day details below.
Updates:
- To ensure that the Daraja team begins together, we encourage everyone to meet at 7:45am at the Bow & Arrow on the Embarcadero. We will then head to Spear and Folsom.
- Please note that the Daraja team’s post-race meeting spot has been changed to the Dutch Windmill at 1691 John F. Kennedy Drive (see below).
Starting Point:
8:15AM – 8:30AM START TIME (approximate):
CORRAL G
Enter at Spear and Folsom Download Starting Point Map
How will I get to the Race?
Check out our Transportation page for transport options available.
Finding the Daraja Team:
Look out for a big bundle of black, red and blue balloons. You should see a huge group of people wearing the Daraja T-shirts. We encourage all Daraja Race for 77 members to wear the Daraja T-shirt OR wear a plain black shirt. Junior Mercy shows of her Daraja shirt in the picture on the left.
The Course:
The historic Zazzle Bay to Breakers is a USA Track and Field Certified 12k (7.46 miles):
From sea level at the Embarcadero the course rises steeply along the Hayes Street Hill. Around the 2.5-mile mark runners climb an 11.15% grade between Fillmore Street and Steiner Street. The remainder of the course gradually flows downhill alongside the Panhandle through Golden Park to the Finish Line at the Great Highway. Point-to-point, mostly flat with a steep hill – the famous Hayes St. Hill summit at the 2.5 mile mark; gradual downhill through beautiful Golden Gate Park. Download Course Map
Do I have to stay with the Daraja Team during the race?
No! If you prefer to walk or run the whole thing, it is up to you. You choose the pace.
Rules of the Race:
- Alcohol is prohibited and will be removed from the race course. Anyone publicly drinking or displaying public drunkenness on or along the racecourse will be subject to fines and prosecution.
- Walkers and slower traffic stay to the RIGHT. Runners to the LEFT.
- No headphones
- No wheeled objects of any type, such as baby joggers, strollers, grocery carts, pets, roller blades, skateboards, or bicycles, are allowed on the course.
Finish Line:
The course closes at 11:30am at the intersection of JFK Drive and Chain of Lakes drive in Golden Gate Park. Registrants who have not passed this intersection by 11:30am, will not have the opportunity to cross the Finish Line in time to collect a Finisher’s Medal. The Daraja team’s post-race meeting spot has been changed to the Dutch Windmill at 1691 John F. Kennedy Drive. (You will see the windmill while you are on the course.) Look out for a Daraja Academy banner and the red, black and blue balloons. Here, we will give out water, snacks and Jason and Jenni will give out awards! Since there are 55,000 people participating in this race, this is going to be a very casual and short meeting spot.
Post-Race BBQ:
Since it may be a bit difficult for all racers to reconvene at the windmill, Daraja Race for 77 participants have been invited to the home of board members Kevin and Lisa Rodondi for a Race for 77 closing BBQ in Marin at 4:30pm for a proper closing to this fantastic adventure!
All finishers’ names in the Examiner
For more than 20 years The Examiner newspaper has printed the top 10,000 race finishers’ names and finishing times in the post-race souvenir edition of the newspaper. This year to commemorate the 100th race, The Examiner will print ALL registered finishers’ names and times.
Got More Questions? We Got Answers! Email Racefor77@daraja-academy.org.
