During the Buenos Aires Marathon
During the Buenos Aires Marathon, held on Sunday, September 24, an unusual situation occurred that has caused a stir in Kenya. Robert Kimutai Ngeno, a Kenyan runner, was attacked by a dog in the middle of the race, affecting his performance in the competition.
Ngeno, 29, was leading the race between kilometers 25 and 38 when a stray dog interrupted his path and started chasing him. Despite the incident, Ngeno managed to finish the race in third place, with a time of 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Harsh Criticism and Scandal in Kenya
However, the dog's interruption caused him to lose focus and several positions in the race. The incident has caused outrage in Kenya, where Senator Samson Cherargei from Nandi district has criticized the sports authorities of Kenya on social media for not protesting and demanding an investigation from the Argentine authorities.
"Marathoner Robert Kimutai Ngeno was attacked by a dog in Argentina during the marathon," Cherargei wrote on his Twitter account, "unfortunately, the incompetent Ababu (Namwamba), Sports Secretary, and the lethargic athletics in Kenya have not deemed it appropriate to protest and demand investigations from the Argentine authorities," he posted on his X social media account.
Upon returning to Kenya, Ngeno expressed his frustration for not being able to secure the first place, which would have meant a prize of 1.1 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $7,425). "I want to forget this quickly," he told local media Nation.
The incident has sparked a debate in Kenya, where athletics is the most popular sport. Mohammed Hersi, former president of Kenya's tourism board, criticized Argentina, saying it is "another Third World country where dog owners can't leash their pets on a marathon route."
The 38th edition of the Buenos Aires Marathon had the participation of 12,000 runners, a record for this annual competition. The race passed through several iconic places in the city, including the Boca Juniors stadium, the Obelisk, Corrientes Avenue, Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires Cathedral, and the Cabildo.