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Kimathi Johnson: The Bandana’s Background

Illinois State senior middle-distance and cross country runner Kimathi Johnson is easy to spot in a pack of runners and it's not because of his height or a pair of brightly colored spikes. Johnson's signature race day attire includes something unique to him that no other runner typically wears – a bandana, worn around his neck.

The Oak Park, Illinois native wanted to wear something unique in college to honor his family, but he didn't know what exactly that was until each of his grandmothers gave him special gifts as he was transitioning from high school to becoming a Division I student-athlete at ISU.