Kabuu to lead Dasani charge at UAP Ndakaini Marathon

Coca Cola, through its water brand, Dasani, on Monday joined this year’s UAP Ndakaini Half Marathon due Saturday in Ndakaini with a sponsorship of Sh525,000.

That will enable Dasani to field a team of 15 athletes in the 10km race to be spearheaded by 2006 Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion, Lucy Kabuu, who also represented Kenya in marathon at this year's World Championships in Moscow.

Kabuu, alongside Coca Cola Nairobi Bottlers Managing Director, Peter Pech, handed the sponsorship cheque to UAP Insurance Marketing Manager, Mary Kiilu-Kanyua, on behalf of the organising committee. 

Kabuu, who in May ran the third fastest time over 25km at the Berlin 25 of 1:21:37, said she has overcome the disappointment from the World Championships and is ready to spearhead the Dasani team to victory.

“I am ready to lead the Dasani team and I hope we win,” said Kabuu.

Talking about her Moscow race, Kabuu said: “You can be a favourite at a race but crazy things happen and you end up not achieving.  But I am glad to be back and hope for the best at Ndakaini.”

NINTH-FASTEST TIME

The 29-year-old Kabuu, who holds the ninth fastest time in marathon of 2:19:34, said she intends to compete in more half marathon this year before closing her season.

Pech said besides going full throttle to claim the team title at the Ndakaini Half Marathon, his company was glad to be involved in the noble venture for the second year.

“We shall always endeavour to lend our hand in noble ventures where Kenya’s leading athletes hone their skills. This event is extremely important as it will help in the conservation of water catchment areas,” said Pech.

Funds raised from the UAP Ndakaini Half Marathon are used to conserve the water reservoir, which is an important resource for more than 3 million people in Nairobi.
“We are proud to be associated with this venture,” said Pech.

Kiilu-Kanyua said they have so far received close to Sh4.1 million from corporate sponsors but expect more organisations to come on board before the event on Saturday.

Former World marathon record holder and world champion Catherine Ndereba will lead the Athi Water Services Board team while former world champion, Douglas Wakiihuri, will lead the Kenya Breweries Limited team that also has 1992 Olympic Games 800m champion, William Tanui.

The 1997 World 5000m champion, Daniel Komen, leads the Nature Conservancy team while two-time world marathon champion Abel Kirui, who is the Half Marathon Ambassador and is scheduled to run for the UAP Insurance team. World Paralympic champion, Henry Wanyoike, will be flying the LG Electronics flag.