Running with a World-Class Kenyan Runner Costs $400

The NY Times reports on a very original birthday gift. On his 40th birthday, Michael Chambers received a visit from Richard Kiplagat, former star Iona runner. Chambers, an investor, is an avid runner inspired by Kenyan runners. His family, who already planned a gift of a trip to Kenya, called up the New York Road Runners Club, asking if there was a Kenyan runner who could run with Chambers: "Sam Grotewold, manager of professional athletes for the Road Runners, made the connection with Kiplagat’s manager. Kiplagat was game. Not having a precedent for such a gift, they decided on the rather arbitrary figure of $400." Kiplagat, who used to run five miles to and from school (barefoot) as a child in Kenya, ran with Chambers in Hudson River Park and told the Times, "When it comes to running, I’m always ready to do it."