Area Runner Almost Takes His First Marathon|ABC 13

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Area Runner Almost Takes His First Marathon

posted 10:52 pm Mon November 12, 2007 - Lynchburg, VA

A 28-year-old Kenyan man didn't have the easiest name for us to pronounce when he arrived in Lynchburg earlier this year, but more and more, it's a name familiar to people across the state. David Cheromei is a runner. That may be the understatement of the day.

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People know a lot more than just his running. They know his heart. He's only called himself a Lynchburger for a few months now, but after this weekend, he's done us all proud. David Cheromei knows how to win. Forgive the people who don't realize it yet.

David Cheromei, Marathon Runner - "I was planning on racing an 8K, but I talked to the race director and he told me I wouldn't get in because they had all these invited athletes, elite athletes who were, you know, better than me."

The thing is, winners don't quit.

Cheromei - "You know, I didn't want to drive all the way to Richmond and then not race."

After all, he was out front in this year's Virginia Ten Miler. Surely, race directors in Richmond could find a place for him somewhere.

Cheromei - "If you wanted to do a walk-on on the marathon, you can jump in and do what you can, maybe do like ten or fifteen miles, and then you can drop out."

For Cheromei the idea was intriguing. But, having never run a marathon, the first ten mile were pretty overwhelming.

Cheromei - "Maybe I can go five more miles and then drop out."

Then he just -- didn't.

Cheromei - "I found myself believing in myself, that I can do everything, even though I wasn't training for a marathon."

Trained or not, at Mile 24 that guy who just wanted to run an 8K was second place in a marathon. He may as well have been back at home.

Cheromei - "It's about the people. You know, it's not about the race."

The people, it turns out, made a pretty good race.

Cheromei - "We started kicking at the same time."

Richmond's 26-point-one mile run turned out to be an 80-yard dash.

Cheromei - "I could see everybody cheering for me, even though they didn't know me."

They didn't have too. Most people can spot a winner, even if he's sprinting by.

Cheromei - "It's just -- that's all I had."

Of course, most also realize being a winner doesn't always mean coming in first place.

Cheromei - "I just lost, right there."

One-tenth of a second. You can look at that as a photo finish. Cheromei tells us, it's just the next starting line.

Cheromei - "Next time, I just have to start kicking a little sooner."

We told you that was David Cheromei's first marathon. He has lofty goals for the future. He says he is hoping to win at least one New York and one Boston marathon before his career is over.

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