Felix Limo’s “House of Ugali”, by Toni Reavis, note by Larry Eder

Felix Limo Winning London 2006

     The night after the 2000Carlsbad 5000 a number of athletes, Elite Racing staffers and friends had gathered at the Red Sea Ethiopian Restaurant in San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood for a post-race celebration and send-off dinner.

The day before America’s Deena Drossin had set a new American road 5Km record off her 15:08 win in the women’s race.  But the headline of the day belonged to Kenya’s Sammy Kipketer, who had destroyed the men’s field — and the eight year-old world record — with his sub-4:00 first mile, 13:00 torching of the famed, seaside course.  Behind, in fifth place came fellow Kenyan Felix Limo in 13:31.

I recall this memory, because today I read that Felix Limo has announced his retirement from competitive racing at age 32 after a marvelous career that peaked in 2004 with his pair of 2:06 wins at the Rotterdam and Berlin Marathons.  Felix was the fastest marathoner of the year in 2004 (2:06:14, Rotterdam) and a subsequent winner in Chicago 2005 and London 2006.

At that Red Sea dinner in the spring of 2000, however, I was sitting next to Felix who was the lone Kenyan athlete at the party, and I fixed him with this question.

“Felix, why is it that in almost every city you go to around the world you will find an Ethiopian restaurant, but never, ever a Kenyan restaurant?  Don’t you find that odd?”

Of course, Ethiopian fare is world renowned for its spicy kick, while the basic Kenyan staple, Ugali — which is white corn meal — is particularly bland by comparison.  Felix took my question in thoughtfully, though he easily read through the kidding nature of the query.  Then, with a sweep of his hand as if to showcase the large neon sign he would erect, he replied.

“You know, when I retire I will open Felix Limo’s House of Ugali.”

Myself, and those sitting close by laughed heartily, and Felix smiled in his impish sort of way.

”
Yeah, and you will promptly go broke,” I retorted, saluting him with a lift of my glass.

Well, I’m sure Felix doesn’t recall this Carlsbad memory.  In any case, he was a great runner, and delightful dinner companion.  We wish him well in his future exploits. But, Felix, I will anxiously await for any franchise opportunities in the Felix Limo House of Ugali chain.  The best to you, as always.

END