Yegon eyes hat-trick at Kisumu Marathon

Elkana Yegon will be looking to win the Safaricom Kisumu City Marathon for the third consecutive year when he takes part in this year's run slated for Sunday in the lakeside town.

Yegon, alongside women's champion Diana Chepkemoi will be among the 700 athletes expected to brave the morning heat in the lakeside town in hunt for glory after they confirmed participation.

Safaricom, who are the main sponsors of the race, have pumped Sh2.5million into this year's event, which is in its 12th edition.

Apart from the 42km race for both men and women, there will be a 10km for both both genders and 8km and 6km for junior men and women respectively.

There will also be a 2km race for boys and girls and a 1km competition for children and veterans.

The full marathon, which is the last race in this year's Safaricom Athletics Series, will be flagged off at the Kenyatta Sports Ground.

The first three winners will walk away with Sh500,000, Sh250,000 and Sh100,000 respectively.

Last year, Yegon won the men's category in 2:18:58, while Chepkemoi crossed the tape first in 2:51:34.

"We expect a competitive event because some elite athletes including last year’s winners have confirmed participation and we will use this marathon to encourage the youth in the area to embrace athletics,” said Athletics Kenya Nyanza North Chairman Joseph Ochieng.

Currently, registration for the event is ongoing at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports ground and Kisumu Sports office.

Safaricom Chief Customer Officer Sylvia Mulinge said different series that they held across the country this year had exposed various sports talent.