Elites ready for Mwea Classic Half Marathon
What you need to know:
- However, Muema, 21, who finished fourth at the Standard Chartered Marathon in Taipei and Dandong Marathon in China in February and April this year respectively and Nzioki, the 2012 Buenos Aires Marathon winner, have promised Kamakya a bruisy battle.
- Kamakya competed at 2010 Rome Marathon where he finished in sixth place and would settle second at 2011 Los Angeles Marathon in 2:09:26 before winning 2011 Gold Coast Marathon in Australia in a course record 2:10:01.
The 2003 Africa junior 10,000m and 5,000m champion Nicholas Manza Kamakya intends to run a fast paced race during the Mwea Classic Half Marathon due Saturday in Kirinyaga.
Kamakya, who has competed in high-profiled marathon races including Berlin, Amsterdam, Beijing, Rome and Los Angeles, said he will show no mercy to the field.
“I will go to Mwea not just to participate but also show my rivals how it’s done,” said Kamakya, who is the latest elite athlete in a field of 1,000 to register for the half marathon.
Kamakya is among the 10 athletes that Mwea Half Marathon ambassador Patrick Makau, who is a former World Marathon record holder, unveiled yesterday at Clarion Hotel, Nairobi for the race.
“With good weather, and God’s blessings, it will be a great race,” said Kamakya. Also to be unveiled are experienced long distance runners Eric Nzioki and Daniel Muema.
Kamakya, who has been training in Ngong alongside Makau and company, said he will be using the race to prepare for this year’s Amsterdam Marathon due October 19.
BRUISY BATTLE
However, Muema, 21, who finished fourth at the Standard Chartered Marathon in Taipei and Dandong Marathon in China in February and April this year respectively and Nzioki, the 2012 Buenos Aires Marathon winner, have promised Kamakya a bruisy battle.
Kamakya, the 2007 winner of the Boilermaker 15km Road Race should put his vast experience to use as he tackles the course.
Kamakya was placed second at the Prague Half Marathon with a personal best of 1:00:09 hours in 2009 before settling second at the Beijing Marathon the same year. He would win the 2009 Montferland Run in 42:38, missing Haile Gebrselassie course record by only two seconds.
Kamakya competed at 2010 Rome Marathon where he finished in sixth place and would settle second at 2011 Los Angeles Marathon in 2:09:26 before winning 2011 Gold Coast Marathon in Australia in a course record 2:10:01.
He was to improve his personal best time to 2:06:34 with a fourth place at the 2011 Amsterdam Marathon before claiming similar position at the 2012 Berlin Marathon in 2:08:28.
Mwea Classic Half Marathon chairman Charles Gichobi said they have so far registered 1,000 athletes. Registration for the races is Sh1,000 for both events is Sh200. Those interested can register online www.mweaclassicmarathon.co.ke.
