Old rivals to compete in the Nyeri half marathon
Athletes do speed-work training at Ruring'u Stadium in Nyeri in readiness for the 2013 Nyeri Half Marathon scheduled for Sunday December 1, 2013. The event has not been held since 2009 after sponsors withdrew alleging misappropriation of funds by organisers. Over 500 athletes are expected to participate in the 2013 event. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- Over 500 athletes are expected to participate in the premier race.
- Over 2000 people are expected to flock the main highways to catch a glimpse of the event.
- Top home-grown athletes led by 2012 Mombasa International marathon champion Paul Maina and 2006 Nairobi Standard Chartered half marathon winner Philemon Baary are expected to renew their rivalry in the event.
- Intensive campaigns have been launched by the organising committee to mobilise corporates and local organisations to volunteer teams to participate in the new category of Nyeri Ekiden.
All is set for the Nyeri County half marathon to be staged in Nyeri Town on Sunday, December 1, 2013.
Over 500 athletes are expected to participate in the premier race that has been organised by the Nyeri County government in partnership with Central Athletics Kenya.
The last Nyeri marathon was held in 2009. The event has not been held since then after sponsors withdrew alleging misappropriation of funds by organisers.
Over 2000 people are expected to flock the main highways to catch a glimpse of the event.
The winners of the half marathon event will pocket Sh100,000 while the 10km road race champions will take home Sh20,000.
Top home-grown athletes led by 2012 Mombasa International marathon champion Paul Maina and 2006 Nairobi Standard Chartered half marathon winner Philemon Baary are expected to renew their rivalry in the event.
Maina, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury, has been dusting off at Ruring’u Stadium working on his speed in the company of Jackson Kakorio of Kenya Prisons, Joseph Lore of the Kenya Police Service and Robert Lesoipa.
The organising committee under the patronage of Nyeri County executive in charge of Education and Sport Elijah Nguyo settled down on a seven kilometre loop course around Nyeri Town where runners will have to go round three times to finish the half marathon.
“We settled on the course to allow runners and those who will be running for fan to enjoy the various sceneries we have in this town. We also want as many local residents to spectate the race from the comfort of their homes,” said Nguyo.
Intensive campaigns have been launched by the organising committee to mobilise corporates and local organisations to volunteer teams to participate in the new category of Nyeri Ekiden.
“We are calling upon learning institutions and companies to send names of their team members for the Ekiden race so that we can arrange on time,” Said Nguyo.
He revealed that his office will in future put more emphasis on the Nyeri Ekiden, a road relay, since it involves many people and it is fun.
The race will be flagged off outside the Dedan Kimathi Stadium and the runners will then head to Kimathi Street before joining Kamakwa Road.
They will then head towards Outspan Hospital, Ring Road loop, Nyeri Technical Training Institute, Greenhills Hotel, the White Rhino hotel and then run downhill all the way to the Nyeri YMCA to hit a one kilometre stretch towards Nyamachaki-Nyeri Provincial General Hospital junction to finish a seven kilometre loop which they have to do three times to make it 21 Kilometres.
Registration for the race has been going on at the Grand Batian Hotel, Raybells Restaurant, White Rhino Hotel, Greenhills hotel, Triton Gas station, Safaricom Centre, Hillpark in Karatina Town, K.K Wazee Hukumbuka Restaurant in Karatina and Benka Restaurant in Othaya.
The registration fee for the marathon is Sh500.
