Ian Ladbrooke, a long-time agent and coach of Kenya’s elite runners, has relief writ large on his face as he says: “I spent most of the day today checking if all have got visas and other things are in place. I don’t envisage any problem.”

The 48-year-old doffs his hat at runners who have put behind a virtual collapse of the political system in their country and have kept their professional commitments. “Hats off to them, this is a testimony to their determination and professionalism. They are carrying on regardless of the situation at home. Obviously, they have to take care of their families and make sure they are OK,” says Ladbrooke. Kenyan runners had been withdrawing from athletics meets ever since violence erupted on the streets of Nairobi and gradually spread to the rest of the country at the end of last month.

Precisely what the Kenyan athletes are facing back home is highlighted by the world’s leading marathoner Jackton Odhiambo Wasiema who, in response to an email query from The Indian Express, writes about the plight of athletes at the training camp in Eldoret. “I am still in Eldoret and haven’t moved out as it is not safe. The situation is volatile as people on the streets could attack anyone, any time,” he writes. Wasiema’s plight is worse since his entire career’s earnings were lost in a heist. “I hope to get some cash and try to fly out soon. We are praying to God to save this land from evil,” he says.

Given the fact that Kalai has already landed in Mumbai and two other previous winners — Daniel Rono and Julius Sugut — are flying out of Kenya soon, it will give Wasiema the confidence to put his career back on track. Ladbrooke, who has an association of two decades with Kenyan endurance runners, reads the mind of his runners. “It’s only by running that they will be able to keep the problem at home away from their minds,” he says.