Kathmandu / Kenyan athlete John Kelai, gold medalist of the 2010 Commonwealth Games—known as the “Mini Olympics” of the sports world—has been appointed as the goodwill ambassador for the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon. He also participated in the marathon’s sister running event, the Gaughat Green Run. Kelai, who has won world-renowned marathons such as the Singapore Marathon, Mumbai Marathon, Brussels Marathon (New Zealand), and Toronto Waterfront Marathon (Canada), is leaving Nepal this Friday. Before his departure, he spoke briefly with us.

1. How do you feel about being appointed as the goodwill ambassador for the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon?
I feel very happy and honored to be appointed as the goodwill ambassador of the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon.

2. You participated in the Gaughat Green Run. How do you view the organizers’ effort to raise awareness about climate change through running?
The organizers’ efforts truly inspired me. They have presented a simple and peaceful way to educate local people about climate change and its impacts on life. To make this initiative more effective, we need to adopt it practically—by planting more trees and reducing the use of plastic, which will increase public participation in this awareness campaign.

3. The Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon and its sister events aim to attract international runners through your participation. What will your role be in taking these events to the global level?
As the goodwill ambassador of the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon, I want to help raise the standard of this event. I will coordinate the participation of international marathon runners, which will help transform the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon into a world-class, gold-level marathon.

4. As a goodwill ambassador, you may need to come to Nepal every year. Are you willing to participate regularly?
As the goodwill ambassador of the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon, I will definitely participate in any running event organized at any time and place.

5. If the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon plans to organize running clinics or similar basic training programs, would you be willing to dedicate your time here?
Yes, I will dedicate my time each year to the running clinics or similar training programs organized by the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon.

6. Please tell us about your main skills and experience. This will help us collaborate and coordinate with stakeholders.
Speaking about my experience and skills in running, I can train both amateur and elite athletes. I can counsel and guide young people. As a motivational speaker, I can inspire children. I can share ideas for organizing and managing athletics competitions and help implement them effectively.

7. Kenya is known as a hub for producing world-class runners. Is there a possibility to organize training or practice programs there for athletes recommended by the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon? Please explain in detail.
Yes, there is a real possibility of organizing well-managed programs in Kenya that will directly benefit athletes. As the goodwill ambassador of the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon, I am always ready to assist athletes recommended from Nepal to gain such opportunities. I will fully support and coordinate for them.

8. How can Kenyan running academies collaborate with Nepali running organizers or academies? And what role can you play in facilitating such collaboration?
Kenya’s dominance and deep roots in world athletics are the result of its strong running academies. I will connect the Kenya Athletics Federation and Nepal through the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon to run exchange programs for sharing experience, culture, and development perspectives between the two countries.

9. In your view, how strong is the attraction toward running in Nepal? And how can interest among children and youth be further increased?
The level of running in Nepal is relatively low right now, but I have seen growing interest among the youth. To strengthen it further, we need to create an inspiring environment and organize as many competitions as possible at the local and district levels.

10. Finally, what message would you like to give to Nepali runners, sports lovers, and the community?
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the management team and everyone involved for appointing me as the goodwill ambassador of the Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon. There is great potential in athletics in Nepal, but there is a lack of technical training, support, and infrastructure. Therefore, it is essential to build basic athletic training capacity. Thank you.