Runners salivate for Gusii Golden Series jackpot

By Robert Nyasato

All roads lead to Nyamira County on Friday for the grand finale of the annual three-leg Safaricom Gusii Golden Series Kebirigo 10km Road Race.

The event organised by Kebirigo Athletics Club and sponsored by mobile telephone service provider, Safaricom, will begin at Nyabite Market and end at Kebirigo market.

Organising Chairman, David Ondieki said plans to host the event, which is in its tenth edition, have been finalised and its course surveyed and marked up to international standards.

Ondieki said world record breakers David Rudisha, Paul Teregat, Olympians Ezekiah Nyamao and Charles Asati among others will grace the where Narc Kenya Presidential candidate Martha Karua is expected to compete in.

Athletics Kenya Secretary General David Okeyo and Public Health Assistant Minister and West Mugirango MP, Dr James Gesami will be chief guests in the event whose first and second legs took place in Gucha and Kisii.

Leading athletes for the jackpot include Philip Mosima from Kisii, Isaac Langat (Eldoret), Samuel Nyantuny (Narok), Daniel Tanui (Kapsabet), Vincent Rono (Kericho) and Derclerk Omari of Nyamira who scooped top honours in the Kisii and Gucha legs.

2,000 runners

In the women’s category, those in contention for the jackpot include Damaris Areba of Gucha, Jane Moraa (Kisii), Caroline Kilel (Kabsabet), Peninah Kigen (Kericho) and Isabella Ochichi.

So far, Ondieki said over 2,000 runners have confirmed participation in the event whose registration will be done at the starting point between 6am and 7.30am.

Athletes will pay Sh100 before the flag off of the race to be officiated by national technical officials of the IAAF at 8.30am. 

The winner will pocket Sh50,000, while second and third placed will go home Sh25,000 and Sh15,000 richer in both the men and women’s categories besides the jackpot money.

Local runners to finish in top three positions will get a cow, goat and a sack of maize. All athletes to finish in the top ten positions will get cash money.