Kilel battles Jepkesho at Chemususu Half Marathon

Kenya's Caroline Kilel crosses the finish line to win the Frankfurt Marathon in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on October 27, 2013. Kilel will grace the fifth edition of the Chemususu Dam Half Marathon set for Saturday morning in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County. PHOTO | BORIS ROESSLER |

What you need to know:

  • Kilel is the 2010 and 2013 Frankfurt Marathon champion
  • The men’s race has attracted defending champion Vincent Rono
  • The race will start at Maji Mazuri at 7.30am and end at Metipso Primary School

The 2011 Boston Marathon champion Caroline Kilel will grace the fifth edition of the Chemususu Dam Half Marathon set for Saturday morning in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County.

Kilel, the winner of the 2010 and 2013 Frankfurt Marathon, is among the over 1,000 athletes expected to participate in the half marathon that will start at Maji Mazuri at 7.30am before heading to Eldama Ravine town.

The race will conclude at Metipso Primary School. The distance from Maji Mazuri to the town is 10km with the rest of the distance to Metipso covering 11km.

Athletics Kenya Baringo County chairman Barnabas Kitilit said they are ready for the race where registration will close on Saturday 6.30am before the kick-off.

Kilel will battle among others the 2016 Paris Marathon champion Visiline Jepkesho, who finished second last year.

The men’s race has attracted defending champion Vincent Rono who will face off with a strong field in the men’s race that has Abraham Kosgei .  The race seeks to raise Sh 20 million for conversation and community projects in Baringo.

Prisicilah Kipruto beat Jepkesho to win last year in 1 hour, 14 minutes and 27 second while Rono, from Elgeyo Marakwet, clocked 1:03:48 to win the men’s race.

COURSE CHANGED

Meanwhile, the route for this year’s Family Group Eldoret Half Marathon due for October 7 in Eldoret has been changed.

Unlike the previous years where athletes battled in a repeated loop in town, this year’s race will be held point-to-point starting at Tendwa Secondary School on the eastern side of the town before finishing at Zion Shopping Mall in town.

Athletics Kenya Uasin Gishu County secretary general James Lagat disclosed yesterday that they have been forced to change the route so as to ease traffic within the busy town.

“The move is also to enhance competition and transparency,” said Lagat upon receiving Sh 10 million sponsorship for this year’s race from Family Bank Chief Operations Officer, Godfrey Kamau at Athletics Kenya headquarters, Riadha House on Friday.

Kamau indicated that they have changed the name from Family Bank Eldoret Half Marathon to Family Group Eldoret Half Marathon after their sister companies Kenya Orient, Daykio Plantations and Family Group Foundation joined in the initiative.

Kamau said that they pledged Sh 25 million for last year’s race but could only provide Sh 5 million owing to problems with cash flow at the bank. “Things didn’t work out well last year but we are on after our sister companies joined in,” said Kamau.

Proceeds from entry fee from the race will go towards Sosiani Primary School that has children suffering from autism.