Registration for Mama Sarah Obama race begins on November 1

Dr. George Orinda Chairman, HIV/AIDS Orphans & Widows Campaign Steering Committee for Safeguard Orphans and Widows Organization during the media briefing at a Nairobi hotel on Saturday. [PHOTO:ERICK OCHIENG]

More than 5,000 participants are expected to take part in this year’s Mama Sarah Obama Kogelo Road race.

The race, which takes place on December 6, 2014, in Nyang’oma, Siaya County, will see participants begin registration on November 1 and end on November 30,2014.

The race’s steering commitee chairman George Orinda said the race, whose winners in the men and women’s categories will each take home Sh150,000, will also see other top 10 finishers awarded.

Orinda (pictured) added that they are optimistic to raise over Sh200 million from the race to be used to eradicate poverty, combat HIV\AIDS and also promote gender equality.

Orinda explained there will be online registration for the race that will include 15km, 5km and 3km categories.

“Registration will be done at designated points countrywide. Visa and MasterCard and mobile payment platforms have been permitted for the convenience of international participants,” Orinda said.

The race will be graced by Rwanda’s First Lady Jeannette Kagame and Nelson Mandela’s grandson Ndaba Mandela, diplomats and corporate heads among other prominent leaders.

The race which is the brainchild of Mama Sarah Obama and Safeguard Orphans and Widows Organisation (Sowo) was initially planned for October 19 but was postponed to allow international participants and guests to register.

The race also aims to promote cohesion among different communities, identify and promote athletics talents and enhances Kenya’s international image and profile through tourism. Tribe Hotel in Nairobi has boosted this year’s edition with Sh1.3 million sponsorship.

Siaya County Government has also partnered with the race organisers to help make it bigger and better. The race is also being supported by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.