Njau, Nderitu shine at maiden edition of Mwea Half Marathon
Reigning Bangsen Thailand Half Marathon champion, Alex Njai, emerged victorious at the inaugural Mwea National Reserve Half Marathon by clocking 1:06.04 in the challenging 21km race.
Njai was closely followed by Gerald Maina with a time of 1:06.27.
Njai’s performance left his competitors with only a glimmer of hope, as he calculatedly secured his win with a comfortable lead of 2 minutes and 23 seconds over his nearest rival.
Reflecting on the race, Njai commented, “The race was very tough; it had a lot of people who had trained. The climate here is very hot, but we were able to withstand it. I shall continue training for the future.”
In the women’s category, Monica Nderitu claimed victory with a lifetime-best time of 1:20.36. Pauline Njeru followed closely behind, completing the race in 1:27.16. Nderitu credited her win to rigorous training, noting that she managed to achieve impressive results despite the scorching sun.
In the 10km men’s race, Gerald Wanjagi led the way with a time of 32:16, closely pursued by Peter Mwangi, who clocked 32:17.
In the corresponding women’s race, Mary Njambi secured victory with a time of 40:51, while Virginia Nyambura came in second at 41:56.
The Mwea Half Marathon took place within the scenic confines of the Mwea National Reserve in Makima, Mwea Sub-county. The event’s organizers aimed to raise funds for Makima’s Umoja Wetu Uwezo Wetu Community-Based Organization (CBO), which supports underprivileged students by covering their school fees.
This marathon also contributed to the array of tourist activities in Embu County during its tourism week, leading up to the UN World Tourism Day set for tomorrow.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire emphasized the county’s commitment to nurturing talents through various activities. Mbarire highlighted the importance of focusing on Mwea National Reserve during these events, as it allows people to participate in activities while visiting the reserve to observe wildlife.
The event served as a platform to promote the untapped potential of the Mwea National Game Reserve. Philip Nzangi, the MCA for Makima Ward, encouraged talent investors to explore opportunities for high-end hotels in the area.
Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi called for exploiting of Mwea Game Reserve's potential to increase county revenue and pledged support to enhance development in the area.
To conclude the event, the local community enjoyed a sundowner courtesy of Sir Elvis, making it a memorable occasion for all involved.
