Rionotukei eyeing Stan Chart title

As the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon makes a return for the 2021 edition, having been postponed in 2020 due to Covid-19, the last editions silver medalist Chemutai Rionotukei is eyeing top prize in the women's marathon. 

The 36 year old who boasts several career wins including the 2016 Dongquan Marathon in a time of 2:34.38 and the 2017 Taiyuan Marathon in 2: 29.36 is looking to beat the stellar elite field for the Nairobi Marathon title. 

Rionotukei has twice made the podium of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, first in 3015 when she placed third in 2:34.45. She returned in 2019 to finish second to Purity Chebii who won in 2:30.34. She clocked 2:33.04 for silver. 

"I had a slow start in 2019 and I am workingon a balanced race. My finishing kick was good but I had allowed the eventual winner to build a big gap which became hard to beat. I have worked on that and I am looking forward for a good race on Sunday," Rionotukei,who in 2011 won the half marathon, said ahead of the event. 

The athlete who hails from West Pokot will face competition from, among others 2010 Bangkok Standard Chartered Marathon winner Fridah Chepkite and road racer Daisy Cherono among others. 

The men's 10km race has notable names in Olympian Daniel Simiu, Olympic 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Benjamin Kigen and Jacob Krop, fresh from winning the men's 5000m at Kip Keino Classic on 18 September. 

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a virtual run has been launched , beginning 25 October at Karura. The virtual runs will be taking place through-out the week from the 25th to 31st of October 2021.

There are various hotspots across the country which have been segmented for participants to join other runners for the virtual run. They are in Thika, Kisumu, Kakamega, Nakuru, Kitale, Siaya, Eldoret, Kericho, Mombasa, Meru, Nanyuki etc. In Nairobi, participants will be converging in the green spaces in Sanctuary, Karura and Arboretum.

The Physical Marathon limited to 2500 elite runners will be held on the Southern Bypass route and is set for the 31st October 2021 at the Carnivore Grounds. The marathon, which has previously been fully physical, now adopted a hybrid format that includes both physical and virtual participation.

The virtual marathon will be targeting 13,500 participants to encourage active lifestyles among participants.