#2 Son reports on last Sunday’s Chicago Half Marathon, which he and others ran to raise moolah for Heshima Kenya, which speaks for itself as

the first and only organization in Kenya devoted to identifying, protecting and empowering unaccompanied refugee children and youth living in Nairobi

“after 19 years of regional refugee crisis.”

Heshima K can use your moolah, easily donated here.

The report:

Hello Team Heshima supporters!

On Saturday I spent the entire day meditating on the big race. I got a haircut, stretched my muscles, and then walked it out. I thought, I got a pretty good chance of winning this thing. Anne’s folks generously invited the runners over for a large pasta dinner on Saturday night, where I ate my fill. Then I bought a hat to shield my bald head from the sun, which I then forgot when the taxi came at 5:45 the next morning. Luckily my sister Mar had brought an extra. What a gal!

Anne and Mar and I took the taxi to Jackson Park where we met the rest of the red jerseys. Go team! We were few, but mighty. We were a drop in a bucket of 20,000 runners, and it was exciting to be a part of something so massive, but also to be in it together. Minutes before the race everyone scattered for the long lines of the portable washrooms, and then tried to merge into the huddled masses as they moved towards the start line. Then we just ran for 13.1 miles, mostly along Lake Shore Dr., encouraged by bands set up along the way and loud speakers pumping Bruce Springsteen or Rhianna, and lots of volunteers, friends, family and strangers.

It was a beautiful day. My sister Mar really kept pace for me along the way. And when my sister Mag jumped in at mile 11, Mar checked to see if I was okay, then ran up ahead of us. Mag brought me up the last couple miles, just a little more, and then [Heshima Kenya
co-founder] Anne ran the home stretch with me, straight through to the finish line, arms up. 2 hours and 25 minutes, 9,628th place! They even had a medal for me. I was wobbly, sort of numb, and very happy to be done.

Thanks very much for contributing to Heshima Kenya and encouraging me on my run! And thanks to my family and friends for coming out to witness! And thanks to the Team; I’m very proud to have run with them. The community is strong, even half-way across the world.

Love,
Pete.

P.S. I’ve attached a picture of my sister Mar and me at the end of the race, stretching it out. It sums it all up: she’s tough, I’m about to cry.