David Lelei
Encyclopedia
David Lelei was a Kenya
n middle distance runner
. who specialized in the 800
and 1500 metres
. He was later an athletics official and a political candidate, but died in a vehicle accident in 2010.
in Seville
, won the silver medal
in the same distance at the All-Africa Games
in Johannesburg
, and finished fifth at the IAAF Grand Prix Final
. At the All-Africa Games it was the first time since 1987
without a Kenyan victory in the event. Lelei later finished fourth at the 2001 World Indoor Championships
in Lisbon
.
In the most regular events he had personal bests of 1:43.97 minutes in the 800 metres, achieved in March 2000 in Melbourne
; and 3:31.53 minutes in the 1500 metres, achieved in July 1998 in Stuttgart
. He also had 2:16.43 minutes in the 1000 metres, achieved in June 2003 in Palo Alto; 3:53.14 minutes in the mile run, achieved in July 1999 in Rome
; and 5:01.43 minutes in the 2000 metres, achieved in June 1998 in Prague
.
. He vied for National Assembly of Kenya
candidacy in 2007, but lost at the Orange Democratic Movement
's primaries
to Peris Chepchumba
, who eventually won the Eldoret South Constituency
seat at the 2007 elections
.
along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) from the Kenyan capital Nairobi
. Tanui sustained serious injuries to his chest and legs, and was rushed to the nearby St Mary's hospital, before being transferred to Nairobi hospital for specialist treatment. Doctors have described his condition as "out of danger".
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
n middle distance runner
Middle distance track event
Middle distance running events are track races longer than sprints, up to 3000 metres. The standard middle distances are the 800 metres, 1500 metres and mile run, although the 3000 metres may also be classified as a middle distance event. The 880 yard run, or half mile, was the forebear to the...
. who specialized in the 800
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
and 1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
. He was later an athletics official and a political candidate, but died in a vehicle accident in 2010.
Career
In 1999 Lelei finished seventh in the 1500 metres at the World Championships1999 World Championships in Athletics
The 7th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations, were held at the Estadio Olímpico, Seville, Spain, between the August 20 and August 29....
in Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
, won the silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
in the same distance at the All-Africa Games
Athletics at the 1999 All-Africa Games
The seventh All-Africa Games were held in September 1999 in Johannesburg, South Africa. As the track is at an altitude of 1748 metres all performances are considered to be set at altitude, this is believed to assist events up to 400 metres and in the long jump and triple jump...
in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, and finished fifth at the IAAF Grand Prix Final
IAAF Grand Prix Final
The IAAF Grand Prix Final was an athletics competition featuring track and field events staged by the International Association of Athletics Federations...
. At the All-Africa Games it was the first time since 1987
Athletics at the 1987 All-Africa Games
The fourth All-Africa Games were held in August 1987 in Nairobi, Kenya.Four new events were added to the games these were the women's 3000 metres, 10000 metres, 400 metres hurdles and 5000 metres track walk. Additionally the pentathlon for women was replaced with the heptathlon. Also four nations...
without a Kenyan victory in the event. Lelei later finished fourth at the 2001 World Indoor Championships
2001 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 8th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics were held at the Pavilhão Atlântico in Lisbon, Portugal from March 9 to March 11 2001. It was the first time the Championships had been held in Portugal...
in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
.
In the most regular events he had personal bests of 1:43.97 minutes in the 800 metres, achieved in March 2000 in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
; and 3:31.53 minutes in the 1500 metres, achieved in July 1998 in Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
. He also had 2:16.43 minutes in the 1000 metres, achieved in June 2003 in Palo Alto; 3:53.14 minutes in the mile run, achieved in July 1999 in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
; and 5:01.43 minutes in the 2000 metres, achieved in June 1998 in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
.
Later life
After his running career, he was the chairman of the Wareng district branch of Athletics KenyaAthletics Kenya
Athletics Kenya is the governing body for the sport of athletics in Kenya. It is a member of the IAAF and Confederation of African Athletics. AK organises athletics competitions held in Kenya. It also sends Kenyan teams to international championships. Isaiah Kiplagat is the current chairman of...
. He vied for National Assembly of Kenya
National Assembly of Kenya
The unicameral National Assembly of Kenya is the country's legislative body.The current National Assembly has a total of 224 members. 210 members are directly elected in single member constituencies using the simple majority system...
candidacy in 2007, but lost at the Orange Democratic Movement
Orange Democratic Movement
Orange Democratic Movement refers to a political party in Kenya, which is the successor of a former grassroots people's movement which was formed in the 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum. The erstwhile single party which separated in August 2007 into two...
's primaries
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
to Peris Chepchumba
Peris Chepchumba
Peris Chepchumba Simam is a Kenyan politician. She belongs to the Orange Democratic Movement and was elected to represent the Eldoret South Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya in the Kenyan parliamentary election, 2007.-References:*Gender & Governance Programme in Kenya:...
, who eventually won the Eldoret South Constituency
Eldoret South Constituency
Eldoret South Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of three constituencies in Uasin Gishu District. The constituency was established for the 1966 elections.- Members of Parliament :- Wards :...
seat at the 2007 elections
Kenyan parliamentary election, 2007
Parliamentary elections in Kenya were held as part of the Kenyan general election on December 27, 2007; presidential elections were held on the same date....
.
Death
On 17 February 2010 David Lelei died in a vehicle accident while travelling with fellow runner and friend Moses TanuiMoses Tanui
Moses Tanui is a former Kenyan long-distance runner who won the gold medal over 10000 m at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics in Tokyo....
along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) from the Kenyan capital Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
. Tanui sustained serious injuries to his chest and legs, and was rushed to the nearby St Mary's hospital, before being transferred to Nairobi hospital for specialist treatment. Doctors have described his condition as "out of danger".