Keitany humbled by Presidential recognition
Three-time London Marathon winner Mary Keitany says it’s was humbled after President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday awarded her with the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) during the Jamhuri Day celebrations Garden Party at State House, Nairobi.
The four-time New York Marathon queen who turns 38 next month says the award was one of those she had never envisioned possessing.
She won the London Marathon crown in 2011, 2012 and 2017.
“It is a great day for me and my family. I want to thank the President for honouring what I have done over the years. The award can be a sense of motivation to upcoming athletes,” said Keitany who has a personal best of 2:17.01 set in April 2017 in London.
Keitany who holds the women only marathon and third overall best time further adds she is encouraged to keep going for more accolades.
“Personally I am not done, I still have the hunger and urge to keep going.
I know there is more yet to come,” added Keitany who represented Kenya in the 2012 London Olympics where she finished fourth in a time of 2:23:56.
“As I said it’s an Olympic season coming up.
My dream is to represent Kenya in Tokyo,” said Keitany who finished second in New York this year to miss out on a historic fifth title.
Keitany becomes the second marathon star to be recognised by Uhuru after world men’s marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge who was feted with Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (E.G.H.) award during Mashujaa Day celebrations in October.
Kenya will send a strong team to the 2020 World Universities Cross Country championships to be held in Marrakech, Morocco in March.
Athletics Kenya (AK) Universities’ Secretary Edward Mwema says the higher institutions of learning are looking to send more athletes for the championships.
“Recently we won silver during the 4th Africa Cross Country Championships.
That is because we were not able to send a bigger number of athletes to the championships,” said Mwema.
“It is good we have been assured of support from the Ministry of Sports so we shall field a full team during the world event on March 7,” he said.
As part of their preparations, Mwema said the varsities were able to field a team for the first AK Cross country in Machakos, County two weeks ago.
“I am sure a number of our athletes will line up during the second leg of the cross country that heads to Sotik this weekend,” he added.
Mwema said there is a provisional list of athletes in place for the world event but the final selection in January during the universities cross-country championships.
During the Africa Universities Cross Country Championships, Kibabii University student Benson Moshon won a silver medal in the men’s race. Another Kenyan representative Festus Kipkurui from Maseno University finished sixth in 32:34. In the women’s category, Kabianga University’s Sharon Chebet and Kenyatta University’s Diana Wanza represented Kenya.
