Lowell Church holds First Marathon as Cultural mix Kicks off
Contestants take off during the innaugural CCA River run marathon at the CCfFchurch in Lowell last Saturday.
By Harrision Maina
LOWELL, Mass, MAY 6_Enjoying the recent momentum ignited by the record breaking performance by Robert Cheruiyot at the professional Boston Marathon, Kenya’s Daniel Mutinda won the newly inaugurated CCA's First Annual River run , a local 7k race organized by Community Christian Academy (CCA), which is part of the Community Christian Fellowship of Lowell, MA
The marathon and family fun event took place last Saturday, one week before the start of another major 3-day cultural event at the same church that will see different cultures from various parts of the world come together to exhibit musical talents, food and have fun.
The event, dubbed the Cultural Kaleidoscope, kicked off last night and is open to all. It will continue into Saturday from 5pm with an open air barbecue and end on Sunday with a multi-cultural worship service.
During the marathon last week, Mutinda, a resident of Lowell finished first in the men’s category at 27.99, followed closely by Mike Roos at 28.19.
An upcoming marathon runner, Thadeus Muthemba, also from Kenya, came in number three at 34.34 to give the Kenyan community bragging rights of dominating the first ever river run marathon.
In the women’s category, Cindy Wolske from Boston won the women’s category with a time of 33.43, followed by Mindy Bolton of Haverhill clocking in at 33.52 and Margaret Kirshner at 36.36.
The marathon also included the walking category.
Kenyan winners, Titua Mutinda and Thadeus Muthemba
The race attracted dozens of runners and fans from many different countries.
The entire event has so far raised about $16,000 which will be used by the Christian Community Academy to support school activities, scholarships and outreach programs within the community.
According to information from the Christian Community Academy, about 30% of their students in K4 through high school are from the African immigrant community, Kenyans being the majority.
The entire church itself has a wide range of worshippers from over 36 nations from the African continent, Asia Europe and South America.
“It’s great to bring our children out for this fun day at their church and great school,” said Anne Waiyaki, a mother of three children who all attend academy.
The men’s marathon winner, Daniel Mutinda said it felt good to win the first ever CCF marathon. “I intend to come back and defend this title next year,” added Mutinda, who participates in several other local races in the state and out of state.
“I am surprised with myself. This is only my second race ever and managed number three,” said Muthemba.
Rev. Raffoul Najem congratulates the women category winner, Cindy Wolske
He thanked Mutinda for making him have the interest and coach him into participating effectively in the local races, and bringing him to compete in his first race in Medford, Mass.
Both Mutinda and Muthemba won cash prizes of $100 and $50 consecutively, and are looking forward to defending their titles next year as well as participate in more races elsewhere.
Woslke, who won the women’s race, said that it was a delight for her to come all the way from Boston and win the marathon while sightseeing the canals in Lowell.
“I saw a flyer somewhere and I decided to come and run. I am glad I won,” said Woslke.
Her friend, Mindy Bolton, who was the runners up, said she also saw a flyer and felt it good race to attend and help raise funds for a good cause.
Speaking during the award ceremony, the senior pastor of the CCF church, Pastor Rafoul Najem thanked all the runners and fans who came to attend the inaugural river run and wished them a day full of fun.
“This is our first event so we are not perfect,” said the pastor. We are all learning here. Next time we shall be better,” he added. Pastor Rafoul was accompanied by the co- pastor of the church, Elvira Whitcomb in making sure that the event ended successfully.
Many participants interviewed by AjabuAfrica.com said that they welcomed the opportunity to run for a good cause.
“We decided to answer the pastor’s call to take part in this marathon to raise money for a good cause,” said Linda Isola, who together with her daughter, Eva Isola participated in the walk category.
After the awards were dished out, participants took their time to enjoy various fun activities at the grounds of the church.
Rev. Rafoul Najem and Rev. Elvira “Vi” Whitcomb , co pastors at the CCF church
The activities included a performance by the Sanctifiers band, a Christian Gospel live band composed of different specialists from different cities in and around the Merrimack area. A session of Gospel jam was provided by DJ John Waweru from Kenya.
If the river run marathon and family fun day is anything to go by, the cultural kaleidoscope starting today up to Sunday will be an even more interesting event to attend for those fond of having a summer weekend out with their families.
“It’s a great place to meet new people and make new friends,” said Donna Dougherty, the operations manager at the Community Christian Fellowship & Academy.
The event kicks off at 6pm through 9pm today with food tasting, arts and cultural exhibition.
There will be a barbeque tomorrow Saturday from 5pm to be followed by cultural entertainment.
Different cultural performers from everywhere are invited to attend and showcase their culture in this free event for all.
