TOLEDO, Ohio – Just a few short years ago, Toledo freshman cross country runner Joy Chirchir was a school girl in rural Kenya who had not yet begun to chase her dreams. Then one of her teachers told her that many Kenyans had used distance running as a way to attain an education in the United States. So even though Chirchir had never run in a competitive race before, she set out to join their ranks.
After she graduated from high school, Chirchir enrolled at a running camp, which are fairly common in Kenya. Her potential was quickly spotted by the coaches there.