World record-breaking ultra runner Rob Young (‘Marathon Man UK’) last night became Monaco’s prestigious Peace & Sport Champion of the Year following an international online public vote.
He was nominated for the award after leading a 25-day, 2,200-mile torch relay around the UK with fellow record-breaker Adam Holland as part of the ‘Champions Walk for Peace’ (www.walkforpeace.co.ke), launched by Kenya’s top athletes to help the Aegis Trust create a peace school between warring communities in Kenya’s North Rift Valley – where ethnic violence has left hundreds of people dead and driven hundreds of thousands from their homes.
“I’m very honoured to receive this award on behalf of every child who has ever confronted abuse or suffering. I also want to thank the Aegis Trust for being proactive about sports for peace. Sports has given me the opportunity to be here today and I hope this Award goes on to inspire others to do the same,” Rob commented as he received the award in Monte Carlo last night.
“We’re thrilled at this recognition for Rob’s incredible efforts,” says Aegis CEO Dr James Smith. “He helped the Kenya peace torch relay go global in 2015, not only bringing it to the UK with Adam Holland but inspiring fellow ultra-runners Alex Ramsey and Pat Sweeney to then run with the torch from Chicago to New York. Where World-class athletes have led the way, we hope others will indeed be inspired to follow. We’ll be bringing the relay to schools and the public across the UK in 2016.”
For the video report on the conclusion of the UK torch relay at Kenya’s High Commission in London last month, featuring Rob Young, click here: https://youtu.be/CrzIHSb9KAA
To support Aegis’ campaign to establish a peace school in Kenya, or to sign up for updates about plans for 2016, visit www.walkforpeace.co.ke
