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Stanchart Marathon to realise target as 10,000 register ahead deadline

Wednesday, October 9th, 2019 12:44 | By
Seeing is Believing ambassador Henry Wanyoike (second left) during the launch of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon in August. Photo/PD/BARRY SILAH

At least 10,000 people have registered for this year’s Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon just one week to the deadline.

With organisers targeting 25,000 participants before the October 15 deadline, hopes are high that the numbers will be realised for the October 27 race. 

“We are confident of getting more numbers in the coming days so we remain positive of good feedback.

The planning teams are already mapping out routes but ideally, we are looking at doing the finishing at Nyayo Stadium when it is ready,” said the marathon’s project manager Dennis Sitieney.

He added: “I know for a fact that we will have top runners from across the globe coming through with 58 from Uganda and Germany confirming participation for this highlight event that we expect will attract thousands of spectators along Nairobi streets.” 

The most significant change, however, is the raise in prize money with a Sh10.5 million on offer. 

The marathon will feature six race categories; 42km, 21km and 10km all men and women, 21km wheelchair men and women, 5km Family Fun Run and the popular 3km CEO challenge.

Winners of the 42km race will pocket Sh2 million each, a significant increase from past editions where winners were rewarded Sh1.5million, while second and third place fetch Sh1million and Sh650,000 respectively. 

For the first time in the competition’s history, there will be a Corporate Relay Challenge category with a team of four runners exchanging batons. 

Organisers of the 2019 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon are targeting  Sh70 million from participants and sponsors which will go towards the  ‘Seeing is Believing initiative’ which focuses on addressing avoidable blindness among children below 15 years.

“We first launched the Seeing is Believing programme in Kenya in 2003. Our contribution as Kenya has been over US$5 million (Sh518 million) through joint efforts with our Seeing is Believing Implementing partners,” said Sitieney.

Last year, 76 nationalities took part in the race with Brimin Kipkorir and Celestine Chepchirchir winning the 42km event.

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