This archive report was first published on 16 July 2021.
On a daily basis, Dennis Cheruiyot, a 20-year-old form three student from RCEA Kiplombe Secondary School in Uasin Gishu county, runs four kilometers from home to school, dressed in full uniform. This determination has not gone unnoticed, as a video of him running to school has gone viral on social media.
According to his school principal, Wase Isoso, Cheruiyot's love for athletics has seen him appointed as games captain. Isoso recalled an instance where he offered Cheruiyot a lift to school, but the student declined, stating that he was training.
Cheruiyot's background is humble, being the sixth born child from a family of eight. He was forced to move out of his home following a disagreement with his family and now lives in a shack next to Kiplombe cemetery. To pay his school fees, he often has to do menial jobs over the weekend.
Despite his average performance in school, Cheruiyot dreams of one day representing Kenya at the global stage. He believes that his hard work and talent will one day pay off, and he is determined to pursue his passion for athletics.
