T. Nashipae2022 Chemususu Dam Half Marathon winners awarded, dates for this year's race revealed
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 24.05.23. | 20:09
The primary objective of the race is to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and conserving the environment
Athletes who medaled in the 2022 edition of the Chemususu Dam Half Marathon are in smiles all the way to the bank after the race organizers released the prize money on Wednesday.
The athletes had to wait for a clean bill of health from the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya before tasting the fruits of their labour on the course.
Daisy Cherotich and Emmanuel Kemboi bagged Ksh.250,000 each for clinching gold in the women’s and men’s race respectively.
Kemboi clocked 1:03:46 to emerge victorious in the 21km men race, beating Jackson Kipleting (1:03:49) and Bernard Kipkirui (1:04:22) who settled for second and third places respectively.
Cherotich took the women’s honors in 1:11:38 as Catherine Reline (1:11:45) and Jackline Chelal (1:11:48) finished second and third.
Meanwhile, the 2023 edition will be held on November 11 in Eldama Ravine.
Race Director Matthew Birir said that this year’s edition has gained recognition for its unique focus on integrating various facets of sustainable development, including environmental conservation, health promotion, education, and agriculture.
The primary objective of the race is to raise awareness about the critical importance of preserving and conserving the environment.
That includes the Chemususu Dam whose ecological balance suffers threat due to factors such as deforestation and pollution.
The half marathon aims at instilling a sense of responsibility among the participants and spectators. The organizers are also looking at planting a mega tree nursery that will host 500,000 siblings.
The organizers are also looking at improving education in the region by building the Chemasusu Primary School Stadium for budding athletes to train.
“We have the issue of sports. We will build the Chemususu Primary School Stadium. Our athletes cannot train on grass and expect to compete with international athletes. We are doing a standard murram track, “said Birir, a 1992 3,000m steeplechase Olympic champion.
Also, in the agenda is the issue of agriculture. The organizers are aiming at using this year’s set piece to train farmers on improved agricultural methods.
“We want to see that we our farmers adopt improved agricultural methods. We want to make sure that during the event, we have people who will train farmers. We will have a week with and for the farmers,” he said.
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