Long-distance runner loses feet to frostbite

A KENYAN long-distance runner who spent more than two days in freezing winter temperatures without winter gear has had his feet amputated.

Marko Cheseto, 28, is one of several runners from Kenya who competed for the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) in cross-country and track.

The amputations were reported on the UAA Athletic Department website.

Mr Cheseto was seen at about 7pm in a UAA building on Sunday, November 6, as two snowstorms started to blanket Anchorage. His roommates reported him missing the next morning.

After a city-wide search, he was found the following Wednesday outside a hotel near the campus, wearing athletic shoes, a jacket and blue jeans, but no hat or gloves. He was suffering from hypothermia and severe frostbite on his feet and hands.

The hotel manager told the Anchorage Daily News that when Mr Cheseto was found, paramedics could not remove his shoes because they were frozen to his feet.

UAA officials said Mr Cheseto’s hands were expected to recover but his lower extremities were severely injured and required amputation.

University police interviewed Mr Cheseto after he was found and reported he had suffered a “personal crisis” when he disappeared. Authorities concluded he had spent the entire time outside.

In a statement, Mr Cheseto said: “While I am still recovering — both physically and emotionally — I will do my very best to give back to the community that has helped me so much and to my home country, Kenya.

“I sincerely apologise for any problems that I may have caused.”