Africa-Press – Kenya. Two major changes have been made to the Nairobi City Marathon course ahead of the second edition of the race scheduled for June 2.
This year’s race will see athletes run toward traffic and not against it like last year.
Athletes will not also access the Nairobi CBD through the Globe Cinema roundabout, which has been removed from this year’s course.
Speaking during the event’s launch at a Nairobi Hotel, race director Ibrahim Hussein said only the 6km race will be run against traffic with the other three races flowing with traffic.
Hussein added they have made rectifications from the last event to ensure this year’s race is up to standards.
“We had a whole year to prepare and we have corrected some of the mistakes from the last event. We have a very perfect course and we are sure of presenting a wonderful event this year,” said Hussein.
The three-time Boston Marathon winner added that they have ensured the measurements of the course are up to standard so that if a runner sets a world best, the time will be ratified.
Athletes will compete in four races; 42 km, 21km, 10km, and 6km and all of them will start on the Douglas Wakihuri Road, formerly Aerodrome Road. “However, they will all have different finish points.”
The 42km and 21km will cover Bunyala, Westlands, Thika Super Highway, Kenyatta Avenue, Simba Street, and Parliament Road among other roads within the CBD before going back to the Express Way on their way to the finish.
Athletics Kenya president Lt. Gen(Rtd) Jack Tuwei expressed optimism that this year’s edition will be bigger and better, noting that the marathon has attracted an increased number of foreign runners compared to the inaugural edition.
“This time, we will be joined by many more runners from around the world. Last year, we had slightly over 1,000 foreign participants from 74 countries but this year we expect the number to go up,” said Tuwei.
While calling on all Kenyans to register for the marathon, Tuwei highlighted the health benefits of running. “I want to urge all Kenyans to run because running takes care of your personal health. It keeps you fit. On top of competing for the medals, we want to ensure we have a healthy nation through racing,” Tuwei added.
The AK boss also reiterated his ambition to make the marathon one of the best in the world— one that will attract the greatest marathoners.
“Nairobi Marathon is the best road race in Africa and also the best paying. I believe we can make it one of the best in the world. We want records to be set and broken in this race for its ranks to rise on the world ranking,” he noted.
Oscar Igaida, the Nairobi County chief officer in charge of sports and youth affairs, expressed the county government’s efforts to ensure the race is successful.
“The county government will provide ambulance and emergency services required during the event. We will also arrange the closure of some roads to avoid traffic,” Igaida noted.
“This marathon is an opportunity to encourage youth participation in sports and enhance their physical fitness. It will also help combat the issue of drug use among the youth in the city,” he added.
Winners of the marathon will pocket Sh3.5 million down from Sh6 million from last year. Runners-up and third-place finishers will earn Sh2.25 million and Sh1.5m.
In the half marathon, the top three will walk away with Sh150,000, Sh80,000, and Sh50,000 respectively. Podium finishers in the 10km will earn Sh100,000, Sh60,000 and Sh40,000 respectively.
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