Meeting Yonas Kifle, London Marathon Runner

Yonas, representing Eritrea, ran the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13th April 2008 and completed it in 2:8:51 hrs.  Yonas was running in the fore front along the elite runners until 19 miles into the race when his shoes started to chafe his feet.  He was forced to slow his pace and came out 7th maintaining his status among the top ten professionals.  Yonas, at 30 is a rising star of Eritrean champions with a steely determination to reach his highest potential.

The Eritrean Relief Association (UK) invited Yonas to dinner at Adulis Restaurant on 14th April where he met with the charity runners who will be participating in the British 10K London Run on 6th July 2008.  In a relaxed atmosphere members exchanged views and experiences and Yonas was pleased to learn how Eritreans here organized fundraising events for identified development projects in Eritrea.  Yonas encouraged everyone to keep up such activities and wished everyone success in their efforts.

Another up and coming champion is 14 year-old Simon Russom who ran the London Mini Marathon on Sunday for the Eritrean Youth Club in London.  Simon who has been running for the last three years (this being his fourth and best) completed the race in 19 minutes and won second place for Islington Council. Let’s hope this occasion of meeting Yonas Kifle will prompt young Simon to greater heights.

Eritrean Relief Association (ERA-UK) wish to thank Yonas for attending our invitation to meet our charity runners and above all for his courage and inspiration to other young people.  We wish him every success in the future.