Cash galore at Shoe4Africa race

More than 500 runners are expected for the sixth Shoe4Africa Women’s five-kilometre run in Iten on Friday.

The annual race, which stands out as Kenya’s exclusively women’s race, brings together the world’s distance running’s top cream.

Edna Kiplagat (pictured right), the 2010 ING New York City Marathon queen, will flag off the competition while former world 800m champion, Janeth Jepkosgei, will preside over the handing over of the awards at the finish line. 

There will be prizes for top two finishers – $500 (Sh40,000) for the first athlete who has not competed outside Kenya and $500 also for the first international athlete. 

The second finisher gets $300 (Sh24,000) with the awards trickling down to the 12th place ($100 or Sh8,000). 

All entrants will get T-shirts, and running shoes will be raffled after the run is complete. There is no entry fee charged for participation.

World 10,000m Linet Masai, world 21km all-time best Lorna Kiplagat, and Hilda Kibet, both Dutchwomen but formerly Kenyans, will support the competition as they also chase the $500 top prize.

World 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot, silver medallist over the distance Silvia Kibet, world half marathon champion Florence Kiplagat and reigning 25km world record holder Mary Keitany will also spice up the race.

Last year’s winner Hellena Kirop, an half marathon specialist, will be back for another shot at her title as she strives to dip under 16 minutes and 33 seconds time mark for a $250 (Sh20,000) bonus at stake for breaking the energy sapping course record.