It isn't just about the race this time.
Bozeman's Nikki Kimball is traveling to South Africa later this month to run in one of the world's most prestigious ultra marathons. However, her stay in the continent will be more about making a difference with the area's children than trotting for 56 miles.
The Comrades Marathon is well-known in running circles. Started in 1921 with just 34 runners in the field, the event has grown to include more than 20,000 runners from all over the world. The point-to-point road race, which switches directions each year, is televised nationally and was originally started as a living memorial for the solders, or comrades, of the South African War.
"Kids grow up watching it; it's an iconic race," said Kimball, who likened Comrades' popularity to the Boston Marathon. "A lot of marathoners want to run Boston once in their life. Marathon runners are always asked, ‘have you run Boston?' And ultra marathon runners will ask, ‘well, have you run Comrades?' It's the same kind of thing."
The race begins at dawn on May 30, but by then, Kimball will have already been immersed in other business regarding the trip.
Kimball and two of her North Face teammates are planning to visit Chesterville Township, which has the highest percentage (39) of AIDS-infected adults in the world. Through a program called Starfish, they are raising money to help orphans of AIDS victims, many of whom aren't able to attend school because they are the head of the household. Often times they turn to prostitution, which in turn leads to an increased risk of acquiring the HIV virus.
One of Starfish's goals is to raise money to allow orphans to attend school.
Kimball, who turns 39 on Sunday, the day she departs for South Africa, is a three-time North American female ultra runner of the year award recipient (Ultra Running magazine) and has competed in several countries, including France, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Belgium, the Netherlands, Brazil, Austria, England, Switzerland and Italy.
Her first foray to South Africa, she says, represents a new phase in her life; one that isn't centered on championship trophies and fast times.
"That's the main reason why I'm doing the race: here's how I can make a difference in somebody's life," she said. "That's more important to me these days than running well. I'm doing this because it makes me feel good to be using my talents for something that's a lot bigger than breaking a course record. It's an incredible high to do that, but it doesn't change people's lives."
This Friday, Kimball will give a free presentation at the Bozeman Public Library in the large community room at 6 p.m. to talk about her upcoming trip and fund raising efforts. Hors d'oeuvres will be served and door prizes will be given out beginning at 5:30.
Kimball recently took a nine-month break from ultra running, her longest in 12 years, but returned to win the Antelope Island 50-kilometer race in March, the Salt Lake City Marathon in April and the North Face Challenge 50-miler on May 8.
On June 26, she will run in the Western States 100-miler, where she is one of only three three-time women's champions.
In South Africa, Kimball will be joined by North Face teammate Kami Semick, the 100K and 50K world champion in 2009. Like Kimball, Semick hopes to turn her running into something more selfless.
"I couldn't turn away from it," said Semick, who has a 7-year-old daughter. "I feel that, as mothers, we are responsible for the children of the world, especially those who have lost their own parents. We've all heard about AIDS and HIV in Africa, but we haven't heard about the children."
Kimball is more adept at running on trails or over mountains and hasn't competed in such a large ultra on the road since representing the United States at the 100K World Cup in 2006. Still, she thinks a top-20 women's finish is possible at Comrades.
The top 10 finishers for each gender receive gold medals, but if Kimball can help a parentless child stay in school, there may be no greater prize.
"Without education," she says, "there's no way to combat HIV."
To donate to Starfish, go to www.firstgiving.com/tnf_comrades_starfish.
Tim Dumas can be reached at tdumas@dailychronicle.com and 582-2651.
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