The luckiest man in Africa

Background; THe 2008 version of the Tour d'afrique paused for 16 days starting March !, 2008.

THis time wouuld have seen riders cross Kenya. Unfortunatly, due to ongoing political turmoil & instability, the tour director's made a decision in mid febuary to cancel the Kenyan section, and have the riders take 16 days off cycling. Some riders affectionatly refered to this time as "spring break".

Her now is a copy of a press release on what I did with this time off, and why I consider myself to be the luckiest man in Africa...

It's amazing how some opportunities present themselves, when a conflict such as the Kenyan political crisis occurs..


Press release; march 10th/2008

IRONMAN 'RESTS' BY RUNNING MARATHON, CLIMBING KILIMANJARO

2008 tour d'afrique rider/racer Chris Wille has just returned from the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, which he reached a scant 6 days after successfully completingthe Kilimanjaro Maraton in Moshi, Sunday, March 2nd.

"I'm the luckiest guy in Africa" said Chris "what an amazing opportunity- running a full marathon in Africa, closely followed by a successful climb to the 'roof' of Africa, the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, rising over 3 miles above the plains below. At 5,896 meters (19,360 feet), it is well over 1,800 meters (4,ooo feet) higher than any other mountain i have ever climbed, which is significant". He added.

AS for the marathon, the atmophere was great, the course very challenging (hot & humid in town, where the first 14 kim's were run, followed by an unrelenting long hilly climb up to the coffee plantations at 5,000', then back down the steep hill to the finish at Moshi Stadium.).

Over 1,500 people took part in the maraton, 1/2 maraton & 5k run, with 300 going the full marathon distance. Top time in the marathon was 2;15 by a tanzanian, who shattered the course record by 3 minutes. "Personally, I was only running to finish", said Chris. "After cycling & racing over 4,300 kilometers acroos Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia (with it's many mountains), I wasn't sur how my legs would hold out, or if I could run. THe last time I seriously ran was at the Royal victoria Marathon last october. Other than that, I did virtually no training as my focus had shifted to the rigors & demands of cycling & racing 12,000 kilometers across the African continent in 4 months".

How did he do? "Great" said Chris "THe legs felt good after about 10kms, and 4;20 is a respectable time for such a hot, hilly, humid course,with no run training. I just feel very fortunate I was able to participate!"

Chris ran the marathon with fellow tda rider Craig George. In order to even get to the marathon start line, the duo endured a 14 hour van dide from Moyale, Ethiopia, to Addis Abbaba, then a lonkg wait at the airport, followed by a 2.5 hour flight over Kenya to Kilimanjaro airport,& a 3/4 hour taxi ride from the airport to Moshi, Tanzania. "We arrived shortly before registration closed on saturday, march !st, then got up very early the next morning and ran the marathon the next morning! (the marathon started at 6;30 am!)."

So what's next on the ajenda for Chris, who is currently in 2nd place overall amonst the racers on the 2008 tda?

"Believe it or not, I'm going to (try)) and relax, and go on a 3 day safari" said the softspoken 4 time ironman. Relax? We'll see....

The riding & racing resumes March !6th, as the group heads across Tanzania....