Kenyan-born American Sam Chelanga offers advise to youngsters on how best to satisfy their passions

Kenyan-born American Sam Chelanga offers advise to youngsters on how best to satisfy their passions

Abigael Wafula 07:24 - 27.06.2024

The Kenyan-born American runner is 39 and still going and he advised young people on how to satisfy their passion, having the experience of running the track.

Kenyan-born American Sam Chelanga has confessed his undying love for running the track as he gave youngsters tips on how to become great athletes.

The 39-year-old finished seventh in the men’s 10,000m at the US Olympic trials, missing out on the Olympic team, but expressed satisfaction to have competed against a quality field and set the pace for the runners.

Speaking to Letsrun.com, Chelanga explained that getting an opportunity to race at such a stage is a blessing. He urged the youngsters who look to become great athletes to just find their passion and never doubt themselves.

He added that he found an addiction in running, the reason behind why he keeps showing up despite his age.

“I’m very thankful…It’s been a while since I’ve been doing this and it’s such a really tough field to be in and for the first time running against those guys, I was just trying to feel how they feel and try to help out with the pace.

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“I represent the old school…I want all the young kids out there who are watching me to just look at me and know that they should keep showing up and never doubt themselves. They should just try to satisfy that passion in their hearts.

“I came here because I enjoy and I couldn’t have predicted this myself. When I got into a routine, I got addicted to it and that’s when I couldn’t get away from it,” he said.

The two-time NCAA champion has enjoyed a great season so far and is not stopping at the Olympic trials as he looks to satisfy his passion. He competed in a couple of track races including the Portland Track Festival where he won the race. He also finished third at the Bolder Boulder 10km road race.

He has since competed in one half marathon, the Aramco Houston Half Marathon where he faded to a 20th-place finish.

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