Over Sh150m sponsorship deal for Nairobi Marathon unveiled
Wesley Kibet celebrates after winning the Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon on 28th October 2012. Organisers of this year’s edition of Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon have introduced changes that will improve the status of the race besides curbing cheating incidents. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- LOC chairman Peter Gitau disclosed that they expect an increased turnout of 23,000 participants this year as they also target to raise over Sh23m for the “Seeing is Believing” charity up from Sh21m realised last year.
- There will be security checks at the Uhuru Highway and Haile Sellasie Avenue round about and Lusaka Road, and Uhuru Highway and Lang’ata Road round about.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for this year’s Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on Thursday received a total of Sh150 million in sponsorship from 14 companies ahead of the race due October 27 in Nairobi.
This was followed by the unveiling of a detailed security plan by the organisers that will see no fans being allowed inside the Nyayo National Stadium that has traditionally been the end point for the race.
Only the technical officials and journalists will be allowed into the arena and the finishing athletes besides no vehicles will be allowed to pack along the competition course.
Title sponsors, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) led the charge by unveiling their package of Sh90 million that was marked by an increase of Sh10m from the previous years. SCB sponsorship is part of the Sh500 milion the financial institution will spend on the event over the next five years.
Coming on board in the Platinum category of the event that had attracted 4,000 participants by Thursday afternoon, were G4S Kenya with a package of Sh17 million and Capital Group Limited with Sh11.8 million.
INCREASED TURNOUT
LOC chairman Peter Gitau disclosed that they expect an increased turnout of 23,000 participants this year as they also target to raise over Sh23m for the “Seeing is Believing” charity up from Sh21m realised last year.
Topping the Gold category is Cellulant Kenya with a sponsorship Sh6.5m followed by Majestic Printing World Limited with Sh5.5m, Pesa Pal Sh5m and Alphine Coolers Sh4.6.
Silver category has Liquid Telecom Sh3m, Jubilee Insurance Sh2m and AAR Sh1m. The Associates sponsors category has Subaru Kenya and Nakumatt Holdings with Sh500,000 each and Greenloop International and Parapet Cleaning Services with Sh350,000 each.
The event’s organiser Michael Hughes disclosed that every participant will be required to be accredited individually unlike before where companies registered as a group.
“Accreditation will be done twice and besides the normal badge, one will be required to have a wrist band. I appeal to all those involved in logistics and media personnel to register on time and accordingly to avoid any inconveniences,” said Hughes adding that there will be several security check points to ensure the 11th edition of the marathon is a success.
SECURITY CHECKS
There will be security checks at the Uhuru Highway and Haile Sellasie Avenue round about and Lusaka Road, and Uhuru Highway and Lang’ata Road round about.
All the entry points to the Stadium premise will also be secured with those accessing the marathon village also going through thorough checks.
Security will be tightened along the newly designed route especially at the bridges, water points and at the finishing arena with both regular police and private security firms led by G4S leading the security operation.
