(Nairobi, 6 November). Kenyan marathon stars visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York after dominating the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon (#TCSNYCMarathon) on 5 November. The elite athletes Viola Cheptoo Lagat and Albert Korir visited the UN global operations headquarters the day after their high-level performances at the prestigious event. ?
Viola Lagat, who emerged sixth in the marathon, finished the race in two hours, 28 minutes and 11 seconds, while Albert Korir was second in the men’s race in two hours, six minutes and 57 seconds.
Viola Lagat held discussions with UN’s Head of Global Communications, Under Secretary-General Melissa Fleming about her cause in raising awareness against gender-based violence, promoting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality. Lagat has dedicated her marathon runs to her late friend and world champion Agnes Tirop who was found stabbed to death at her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, in 2021.
In an interview with , Lagat said that she would love to inspire young girls and women through her talent. “What I would like to see from my efforts as a marathoner, is for my talent to be an inspiration to young girls back home. I would like to be a role model to them. It is also important that they work hard in education,” she said.
While visiting the UN, Korir had a message of peace. “My message to the world is: let’s not run a world of conflict or hate speech, but let’s impress a world of peace, humanity and love,” said Korir.
Viola Lagat is the chairperson Tirop Angels Trust, an organization founded by Kenyan athletes together with the family of the late Agnes Tirop that advocates against gender-based violence. Their main objective is to prevent violence against women and girls by empowering them, especially those at risk of violence, while engaging strategic groups such as youths and faith leaders in raising awareness towards preventing gender-based violence.
The elite runners’ visit was organised by UN Information Service in Nairobi, the Africa Section and the Visitors’ Service - all in the UN’s Department of Global Communications.
