Cross Country Club Collecting Sneakers for ‘Shoe4Africa’

From staff reports

A pair of used running shoes can make a world of difference. Sneakers we toss into the back of the closet or wear to mow the lawn can be life-changing tools for African athletes, many of which struggle to get shoes of any kind, let alone the high-tech, high-dollar shoes we wear for a couple hundred miles and then discard as “worn out.”

This fall and winter, the Sweet Briar Cross Country Club will be collecting used running shoes for “Shoe4Africa,” a non-profit organization that distributes shoes and promotes AIDS awareness and testing in Kenya, Tanzania and Morocco. The club also will be collecting cash donations to ship the shoes to Africa.

“Shoe4Africa” was born in 1995, when professional runner Toby Tanser was living and training in Africa. He noticed that many runners in Kenya — a country known for its elite distance athletes — were training without adequate footwear.

Tanser started giving away his used shoes and extra shoes he got from his sponsors. The recipients started breaking records and winning high-profile races. When he realized something as simple as a used pair of running shoes could make such a huge difference, Tanser started collecting used shoes from other runners and “Shoe4Africa” was born.

“Shoe4Africa” holds road races in Africa where shoes and sometimes cash are distributed as prizes. Whole towns show up to watch and compete. At the events, high-profile athletes also speak about HIV/AIDS and AIDS testing is available.

“Shoe4Africa” asks that the shoes have at least 100 miles left on them. In other words, they should be “gently worn” without significant tread loss. Shoes can be dropped off in a collection box located in the Sweet Briar post office or with any club member.

For more information, including drop-off locations, visit Sweet Briar’s “Shoe4Africa” Facebook group or call club advisor Suzanne Ramsey at Ext. 6388.