Spencer MacDonald’s new documentary Kukimbia: A Journey Through Kenyan Running Culture, looks at the transformative nature of running on the lives and families of those who take up the sport in the East African country.
“The runners that we met and stayed with are some of the best long distance runners in the world”, says Spencer MacDonald. “As well as this, they are also some of the most humble, warm and disciplined people that we have ever come across.”
The film features interviews with internationally renowned runners Komon, Paul Koech, and Micah Chemos who have been using their earnings to support educational activity in their communities.
“Running is everything for them”, Spencer tells me. “Everything that they earn through running goes straight back to their families and villages. Although some of them grew up running to school, when we asked them why they run, every single answer we got was about helping their loved ones get out of poverty.”
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
The party starters fighting to revive Stonehenge’s Solstice Free Festival
Free the Stones! delves into the vibrant community that reignites Stonehenge’s Solstice Free Festival, a celebration suppressed for nearly four decades.
Written by: Laura Witucka
Hypnotic Scenes of 90s London Nightlife
Legendary photographer Eddie Otchere looks back at this epic chapter of the capital’s story in new photobook ‘Metalheadz, Blue Note London 1994–1996’
Written by: Miss Rosen
The White Pube: “Artists are skint, knackered and sharing the same 20 quid”
We caught up with the two art rebels to chat about their journey, playing the game that they hate, and why anarchism might be the solution to all of art’s (and the wider world’s) problems.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The Chinese youth movement ditching big cities for the coast
In ’Fissure of a Sweetdream’ photographer Jialin Yan documents the growing number of Chinese young people turning their backs on careerist grind in favour of a slower pace of life on Hainan Island.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The LGBT Travellers fundraising for survival
This Christmas, Traveller Pride are raising money to continue supporting LGBT Travellers (used inclusively) across the country through the festive season and on into next year, here’s how you can support them.
Written by: Percy Henderson
The fight to save Bristol’s radical heart
As the city’s Turbo Island comes under threat activists and community members are rallying round to try and stop the tide of gentrification.
Written by: Ruby Conway