All set for Nairobi StanChart marathon

As the month of October slowly comes to a close, the 20th edition of the StanChart Nairobi Marathon is penciled for Uhuru Gardens on Sunday 29 October.

So far, over 22,000 runners from over 90 countries have been marked present for the annual marathon. This is an increase from last year when 19,000 participants graced the event.

The marathon has been divided into five categories including 42km and corporate relay, 21km wheelchair, 21km, 10km, and 5km family races.

The 42km and corporate relay will start at 6 am, followed by the 21km wheelchair race at 5:45 am, 21 km at 6:45 am, the 10km race at 8 am, and the 5 km family race at 9:30 am.

The races will start and conclude at Uhuru Gardens along Langata Road.

The organizers led by chairman Peter Gitau expressed their excitement by the progress since the first edition two decades ago, noting that this year’s will be bigger and better.

''Since its inception 20 years ago, the marathon has brought together more than 270,000 runners from all walks of life. This year is no different. We have 3,000 elite athletes and Athletics Kenya is currently reviewing and looking at their profiles which we will share later. That's a large number to start with and we are excited. Besides, 45 percent of the runners are women, meaning we have achieved our target as far as gender balance is concerned,'' Gitau said.

The chairman further extended heartfelt regards to the corporates who joined hands in this year’s marathon. The corporates constituted 78 percent of the participants.

''I would like to give a shout-out to companies since they encouraged employees to register for this marathon," Gitau averred.

National Traffic Commandant Mary Omari advised runners to use the Southern bypass where the Nairobi Traffic Department will manage road closures and detours to ensure smooth traffic flow.

"To make this marathon a success, we have created a schedule of road closures and detours. These measures will redirect traffic between Saturday at 11PM and Sunday at 1:30PM.This might cause temporary inconveniences but bear in mind it will ensure the safety and success of this marathon,'' Omari said.

The winners of the full marathon will receive Sh2m each for both the men's and women's categories.

Kipchoge statue marks 20-year anniversary with Nike

Kemboi emerged the winner after clocking 2:10:22 ahead of Wilfred Kirwa (2:10:50) and Felix Kipkorir (2:11:08), who came in second and third places, respectively, during the 19th edition of the marathon 42 Km men’s race.

Sheila Chepkoech emerged top in the women’s 42km category in 2:27:04, ahead of Beatrice Cheptoo (2:28:42) and Shyline Jepkorir (2:29:36), who came second and third respectively.

Daniel Simiyu Ebenyo won the 21km half marathon in 1:00:50, ahead of Isaya Lasoi (1:01:23) and Samuel Naibei (1:01:31).

Evaline Chirchir clocked 1:09:58 to bag the women’s half marathon ahead of Nelly Jeptoo and Edith Jepchumba in 1:10:40 and 1:11:03, respectively.

Patrick Mosin won the men’s 10km race in 0:31:39, beating competitors Geoffrey Kipchumba (0:31:41) and Bravin Kiprop (0:31:55).

Jesca Chelangat triumphed in the women’s 10km race in 0:35:26 to finish ahead of Beatrice Chepkoech (0:36:07) and Rebecca Chepkwemoi (0:36:20).

Milton Ilahuya won the men’s wheelchair race in 1:06:25, with Caleb Odiyo and Samuel Kwia registering 1:30:18 and 1:31:33, respectively, to emerge second and third.

Wanjira Caroline of Kenya emerged as the winner in the women’s wheelchair at 06:30. Rael Akoth and Eunice Otieno were second and third, with a time of 25:12 and 2:38:59, respectively.

The 42km elite race winner pocketed Ksh 2 million, the second-placed Ksh750,000, while the third-place finisher went home with Ksh500,000.

The 21km half marathon and wheelchair race winners each got Ksh300,000. The second finisher received Ksh150,000, while the third-placed finishers each got Ksh100,000.

Winners of the 10km race received Ksh 200,000, followed by Ksh150,000 and Ksh100,000 for second and third-place finishers.