Amazing Maasai Girls Project

The people you meet on an Amazing Race can change your life....

 

In the spring of 2010, "Maasai Warriors" Paul and Francis received a phone call from China. A few weeks later, they were aboard an international flight to Shanghai, where they would participate in the Chinese-version of the Emmy Award-Winning television series The Amazing Race, China Rush. Along with nine other teams from all over the world, Paul and Francis would compete in mental, luck, strength and transportation challenges throughout 12 cities in China. 

 

Hailing from the marathon nation of Kenya, Francis and Paul liked to run. Fellow contestants Sarah and Molly ran ultra-marathons throughout Asia, and the two teams soon became fast friends. When the group decided to collaborate, an idea was born to found an endurance running event in Kenya in support of Maasai girl's education in Kenya. In summer 2011, the friends reunited in the Kenya bush for in their second Amazing Race, this time, the Amazing Maasai Ultra Marathon. 

 

To manage the donations and proceeds of the event, The Amazing Maasai Girls Project (AMGP) was inaugurated in August 2011. Since then, $100,000 has been raised for the AMGP scholarship fund. The marathon continues to serve as its main fundraising platform and both organizations continue to work together closely.

 

PHOTOS:
Top: Paul Lebineyo, Sarah Edson, Molly Fitzpatrick & Francis Merenyi, friends for life - the Amazing Race China Rush 2010 (top);
Bottom: Sarah Edson, Molly Fitzpatrick & Paul Ark, Race Directors of The Amazing Maasai Ultra 2013