Joe Sang (luminous green cap) and John Terer during training for the Sydney Marathon
Joe Sang completed his third World Marathon Majors race yesterday, clocking 3:09:47 at the TCS Sydney Marathon as he continued his campaign to raise funds for the education of needy Kenyan children.
Sang, the founder of the Joe Sang Foundation, has turned his passion for distance running into a fundraising drive targeting Sh200 million to provide scholarships and other educational support to disadvantaged children across the country.
Sang and the Foundation are now appealing to individuals and organisations to contribute towards the Sh200 million campaign.
"Every kilometre this morning had a face attached to it," Sang said after completing the race. "There are children in this country whose only obstacle is a school fees balance, not ability and not effort. Forty-two kilometres is hard for a morning. Watching a bright child leave school is hard for a lifetime."
Sydney presented another demanding challenge for Sang, with the course taking runners across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge before testing them with tough climbs in the closing stages.
Through the Foundation, which was launched in August 2025, Sang has so far supported more than 10 students with scholarships from secondary school to university.
The organisation says its programmes have also reached more than 100,000 people in Nairobi, Marsabit, Laikipia and Kericho counties, while it has supported the construction of classroom infrastructure in Kitui County.
Foundation chairman Jinaro Kibet said Sang's marathon exploits were helping draw attention to the plight of children struggling to remain in school.
"Three Majors on three continents, and not one of them run for himself," Kibet said. "Our founder handed these children his platform this morning. What we ask of everyone else is far easier than running a marathon, which is to give."
The World Marathon Majors series comprises Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Sydney.
Sang and the Foundation are now appealing to individuals and organisations to contribute towards the Sh200 million campaign.
